Government appoints parliamentary working group to assess and develop practices and legislation related to NATO

Government appoints parliamentary working group to assess and develop practices and legislation related to NATO

On Thursday 13 November 2025, the Government appointed a parliamentary working group that will assess and, if necessary, put forth justified proposals for developing practices or legislation concerning NATO matters. The work will be based on an assignment from the Constitutional Law Committee and a preliminary study completed by the Ministry of Justice in October 2025.

When considering the government proposal for Finland's accession to NATO, the Constitutional Law Committee proposed that the Government conduct an assessment of the indirect effects of NATO membership on the division of power between state bodies.

The key findings of the preliminary study published by the Ministry of Justice as part of official duties have to do with competence in matters related to NATO. While the President of the Republic and the Government jointly formulate important policies related to NATO participation, not all positions related to NATO are part of the direction of foreign policy. The preliminary study also highlights the importance of ensuring Parliament's access to information and ability to exert influence in NATO matters.

Heikki Vestman to serve as chair of the parliamentary working group

Prime Minister Petteri Orpo has appointed Member of Parliament Heikki Vestman from the National Coalition Party Parliamentary Group to serve as chair of the working group and Member of Parliament Wille Rydman from the Finns Party Parliamentary Group to serve as its vice-chair.

The other members of the parliamentary working group are Members of Parliament Sofia Vikman from the National Coalition Party Parliamentary Group, Mira Nieminen from the Finns Party Parliamentary Group, Johannes Koskinen and Tuula Väätäinen from the Social Democratic Parliamentary Group, Mika Lintilä from the Centre Party Parliamentary Group, Atte Harjanne from the Green Parliamentary Group, Veronika Honkasalo from the Left Alliance Parliamentary Group, Mats Löfström from the Swedish Parliamentary Group and Peter Östman from the Christian Democratic Parliamentary Group.

The working group consists of representatives appointed by their respective parliamentary groups.

The term of the parliamentary working group will run from 13 November 2025 to 31 August 2026.

Inquiries: Timo Lankinen, Permanent State Under-Secretary, Prime Minister's Office, tel. +358 295 160 300