Finland's Government Survives Confidence Vote After Israel Visit Row
MPs backed Hakkanen and the government after opposition criticism over a September Israel visit and Finland’s defense ties with Israel.
- Finnish MPs held a confidence vote on the government and Defence Minister Antti Hakkanen on Friday; the government survived by 93 votes to 62, while Hakkanen secured a wider majority of 114 to 61.
- Opposition parties challenged the government citing Hakkanen's September visit to Israel and Lebanon, where he met Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz and discussed defence cooperation.
- Concerns over Finland's military ties to Israel include a €317 million David's Sling air-defence system deal signed in November 2023, while ministers disagreed on EU-level trade restrictions involving Israeli settlements.
- SDP chair Antti Lindtman described the government's policy as "completely unsuccessful and confused," while Hakkanen cancelled his participation in the Joint Expeditionary Force defence ministers' meeting in Iceland on Friday.
- Amid the conflict in Gaza, the Greens and Left Alliance have questioned why Finland expanded defence cooperation with Israel, though the government defends these purchases citing national security needs.
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Finland's government withstood a vote of no confidence in parliament on Friday, which was called over the government's Middle East policy following a visit by the defense minister to Israel that drew criticism.
Finland's government withstood a vote of no confidence in parliament on Friday, which was called over the government's Middle East policy following a visit by the defense minister to Israel that drew criticism.
Government and Häkkänen retain parliament’s confidence after Israel dispute
Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s government and Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen retained the confidence of Finland’s parliament on Friday after separate opposition challenges over the government’s Middle East policy and Häkkänen’s visit to Israel. MPs backed the government by 93 votes to 62, with 21 abstentions. Häkkänen secured a wider majority, winning his confidence vote by 114 votes to 61.
نُشر هذا مقاعد ولاً عبر Cedarnews.net. To follow more of the news and reports, click on our website. Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen received the parliament's trust. Photo: Juhani Niiranen / HS Parliament voted for Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen on Friday. تم نشر هذا الخبر عبر موقع Cedarnews الشبابري. For more information, visit our official website.
The no-confidence motions were due to Middle East politics.
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