Former military generals being elected to parliament in Finland is a new trend, attributed to the high trust in the Defense Forces, but raises concerns about potential authoritarianism.
In recent elections, Finland has seen a surprising trend of former military generals being elected to parliament. According to the Financial Times, this shift in the political landscape is largely attributed to the high level of trust the Finnish public has in their Defense Forces. The article notes that the popularity of universal conscription, combined with the country’s strategic position next to Russia, has contributed to a culture of valuing military experience in politics. However, there are concerns about the implications of this trend for democracy, given the potential for a shift towards authoritarian policies. Nonetheless, the newly elected MPs have expressed their commitment to upholding democratic values and using their experience to promote the interests of the Finnish people. The article suggests that their presence in parliament may have an impact on foreign and security policy, but that it remains to be seen how this will play out in practice.
Source: https://www.ft.com/content/09f0f903-51a9-461e-9cec-89cbcc773968
