A new survey conducted by a consortium of 21 Finnish newspapers has revealed a growing sense of unease among Finns over the security of Finland and Europe. With 1,000 respondents polled between March 11 and 19, two-thirds expressed concern—44% being somewhat worried and 22% very concerned.
Many participants pointed to recent shifts under President Donald Trump, including a decreased commitment to NATO and rising tariffs, as key factors undermining traditional security assurances. "NATO membership was expected to enhance Finland's security, but Trump's unpredictability clearly influences public opinion," said Juha Vuori, a political science lecturer at the University of Turku.
The survey also highlighted clear demographic divides. Women showed higher levels of concern with 73% expressing at least moderate unease, compared to 59% of men. Political affiliation played a role as well; while just over half of Finns Party supporters expressed worry, nearly three-quarters of Left Alliance backers shared those sentiments.
Echoing these findings, Ville Sinkkonen, a senior research fellow at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs, noted that similar apprehensions are emerging across Europe. A recent YouGov survey indicated that 49% of Britons and 48% of Germans view Trump as a significant threat to European security.
This poll offers a data-driven insight into how unexpected shifts in international policies can impact national and regional security, prompting debates among global citizens, tech enthusiasts, thought leaders, and travelers alike.
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Most Finns concerned about security amid shifting U.S. policies
cgtn.com
