Finnish lawmakers formally endorse NATO bid

Finland’s Parliament has overwhelmingly endorsed a bid from the Nordic country’s government to join NATO.

Lawmakers at the 200-seat Eduskunta legislature voted 188-8 on Tuesday to approve Finland seeking membership in the 30-member Western military alliance.The vote was considered a formality as Finnish President and Prime Minister announced the intention to join on Sunday.Finland is now expected to sign a formal application and file it to NATO headquarters in the coming days together with Nordic neighbour Sweden where the government announced a similar NATO bid on Monday.