2019
The President of the Republic approved bills concerning the specification of qualifications for military posts
On 29 March 2019, the President of the Republic approved bills concerning the specification of qualifications required for admission to studies that may lead to a military post in the Defence Forces or in the Finnish Border Guard or to officer posts, or to a border guard's basic course.
In future, appointments to military posts require candidates not to hold such citizenship of or other links to a foreign country, as referred to in the Security Clearance Act, that could constitute a danger to the security of the state, general security, national defence or Finland’s international relations, or to the security of duty in the Defence Forces or the Finnish Border Guard.
The Act on the National Defence University will be amended so that similar eligibility will apply to studies leading to officer posts. These amendments will also apply to admission to the border guard’s basic course.
As for the candidates’ reliability and trustworthiness, it is essential to assess if their links to another country would subject them to becoming inappropriately influenced.
Links to foreign countries must be considered also from the point of view of the candidate's own status and protection. Candidates may face a personal conflict, if they or their loved ones are threatened or if they become otherwise pressured into acting contrary to their official duties.
The proposal amends the Act on the Defence Forces, the Act on the National Defence University and the Act on the Administration of the Border Guard.
The acts will enter into force on 1 July 2019.