2017
Minister of Defence Jussi Niinistö set up a project to define in more detail the legislation on dual nationality in the defence administration
Minister of Defence Jussi Niinistö has set up a project to prepare proposals for necessary amendments to the relevant legislation. These are needed to improve Finland’s national security when appointing someone to a military post in the Defence Forces and selecting students for studies that lead to officer posts.
In line with the Government Programme, the Government will define the legislation on dual nationality. Plans were started for the project in December 2016 when it became clear that the project to develop the legislation governing the activities of public officials was not progressing as was seen necessary by security authorities.
The purpose of the project is to bring legislation more comprehensively in line with the changed security situation and new kind of threats. The principal objective of the project is to improve national security. As a rule, only a person holding a Finnish citizenship could be appointed to a military post in the Defence Forces in the future and the same would apply to applicants for studies that lead to officer posts.An exemption from the nationality
requirement could be granted if deemed necessary.
The project will be executed as part of official duties, with the aim to draft proposals for the necessary legislative amendments. The legislation is meant to enter into force at the beginning of 2018 and therefore the government proposal will be submitted to the Parliament already in the autumn session 2017.
Inquiries: Senior Adviser for Legal Affairs Jenni Herrala, tel. +358 295 140 072.