Russian war of aggression
Bundestag approves Finland and Sweden joining NATO
The Reichstag building in Berlin. Photo: Christoph Soeder/dpa
© dpa-infocom GmbH
Germany is one of the first countries to give the green light for two northern partners to join NATO. Almost all parties in the Bundestag were largely in agreement – with the exception of one.
The Bundestag has approved the accession of Finland and Sweden to NATO. A majority of MPs voted in Berlin on Friday for a law that is a prerequisite for the acceptance of the corresponding protocols by Germany. The factions of the traffic light coalition of SPD, Greens and FDP as well as the Union and majority of the AfD from the opposition voted for this. There was rejection from the left. Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier issues the actual ratification document.
The move by Sweden and Finland is a direct response to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. On Tuesday, the ambassadors of the 30 alliance states had already signed the so-called accession protocols at the headquarters in Brussels in the presence of the foreign ministers of the two Nordic countries. So far, Canada, Estonia, Norway, Denmark and Iceland have ratified membership.
The federal government campaigned for approval at the start of the debate on Friday. “The planned accession of Finland and Sweden to the North Atlantic Defense Alliance is of outstanding importance for us and our partners in view of the shocks we are experiencing in Europe and around the world as a result of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine,” said Tobias Lindner (Greens), Minister of State in the Foreign Office, who spoke for the government.
In a dramatically changed security situation in Europe, this accession not only means additional security for the Nordic partners, but also an increase in strength and cohesion for NATO as a whole, said Lindner. There is also a long partnership with both countries. Lindner: “Today we are strengthening NATO’s democratic values.”