NATO membership has been a hobby horse of Stubb's party (the Coalition party) for a very long time. Now that the political winds have shifted in favor of NATO,

NATO membership has been a hobby horse of Stubb's party (the Coalition party) for a very long time. Now that the political winds have shifted in favor of NATO, the Coalition party is trying to capitalize on that shift in public opinion. So while it's true that public opinion is going that way, it is very much in Stubb's interest to frame it as favorably as possible, domestically and abroad. I happen to disagree with the Coalition party (on many things), but I can't fault their methods in this case-- It's good politicking.