Finnish defence minister faces parliamentary no-confidence motion after Israel trip
Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen is confronting a no-confidence proposal in parliament following his recent visit to Israel and meetings with Israeli officials.
Häkkänen travelled to Lebanon and Israel from 13 to 18 September, during which he met Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz and inspected the David’s Sling air-defence system bought for Finland. Opposition parties, especially the Greens, have questioned the approval process for the trip and its alignment with Finland’s broader policy toward Israel. Their criticism has led to a formal move to withdraw confidence in the minister.
Why it matters
The challenge could destabilise Finland's defence leadership and affect its military procurement and foreign policy.
In this story
no-confidence motiondefence ministerIsrael visitDavid’s SlingFinnish defence procurementopposition criticismGreensIsrael Katz
