In the final vote for membership, seen as one of the most important decisions taken by parliament, 152 members of the 200-seat legislature voted for joining the Union and 45 voted against. One member was absent and one abstained. The speaker does not vote.
Finns voted by 56.9 percent to 43.1 percent for membership in an advisory referendum on Oct. 16. Parliament had the final say but most members of parliament said they regarded the plebiscite as morally binding.
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