Finland's parliament began on Wednesday considering a government proposal aimed at extending the border security act, a day after Interior Minister Mari Rantanen (Finns) presented the bill to the legislature.
The government wants to extend the validity of the law until the end of next year, without making any changes to its content.
"The threat of instrumentalised migration at Finland’s eastern border remains high and difficult to predict. The situation at the border is tense but stable. However, we must prepare for the possibility that the situation may change rapidly and seriously," Rantanen said in a government statement.
Formally known as the Act on Temporary Measures to Combat Instrumentalised Migration, the law is aimed at combatting Russian efforts to orchestrate mass border crossings as a pressure tactic. Among other provisions, the law empowers border authorities to prevent asylum seekers from entering Finland across the eastern border.
So far, the law has not been applied in practice. Doing so would require a separate decision, and according to the government would only be implemented as a last resort if need to control a situatuion at the border.
Finland’s eastern frontier is Nato's longest border with Russia.
As it stands, the Act is due to expire in mid-July.
Its extension requires a supermajority, that is, approval by five-sixths of Finland's 200 MPs. The opposition Greens and Left Alliance oppose the measure, but most lawmakers from other parties are expected to vote in favour of it.
Border Guard: Tool to control large-scale immigration
According to Antti Virta, Deputy Commander of the Southeast Finland Border Guard, the law is a necessary tool for border authorities if large-scale immigration begins to reoccur as it did in the autumn of 2023.
"It is actually the only way to prepare and control the situation if large-scale immigration is re-activated on the eastern border. From the perspective of our powers, it’s very good if the law remains in force," he told Yle.
The government decided to close Finland's eastern border over a year ago due what it deemed to be instrumentalised immigration orchestrated by Russia.
Critical voices
The border security act, also referred to as a "pushback law", has attracted plenty of criticism. Last month, the Chancellor of Justice slammed the government's justifications for extending the law's validity as insufficient.
The daily Helsingin Sanomat reported that complaints have been filed with the European Commission alleging that the Act is in breach of EU law. According to the paper, some of the complaints have been filed by Finnish researchers.
The Border Guard says it is bracing for the possibility that more individuals may try to enter Finland through wilderness areas once the snow melts.
"Of course, we are monitoring the situation all the time and preparing for any possible changes in the situation," said Virta.
He called on residents of the border area to notify authorities if they see any unusual activity.