Only once did it take longer to form a government in Finland. But now a four-party alliance has agreed to work together. One thing is clear: there is a much more conservative course.
With a new government, Finland is clearly moving to the right. A center-right alliance of four parties under the conservative designated Prime Minister Petteri Orpo announced in Helsinki, among other things, a stricter immigration policy. Orpo’s National Coalition Party had previously agreed to work together after weeks of negotiations with the right-wing populist party The Finns, the Swedish People’s Party and the Christian Democrats. Orpo replaces the Social Democratic Prime Minister Sanna Marin. The parties want to approve the agreement at the weekend.
His government’s goal is “a strong and caring Finland,” Orpo said. “If Finland is strong, Finland will be able to take care of the basic needs of its citizens and the security of Finland.” In the parliamentary elections at the beginning of April, the National Coalition Party came out on top ahead of the right-wing populists and Marin’s Social Democrats. The popular head of government admitted her defeat.
“Paradigm shift” in migration
Finn boss Riikka Purra announced a “paradigm shift” in migration. Residence permits are to be limited and reduced to the EU minimum. Family reunification will be tightened, as will the conditions for granting asylum. The refugee quota drops to 500. According to Purra, the immigration of skilled workers should also be more closely controlled.
“The government will implement major social security and labor market reforms to make it easier and more profitable to find employment or become an entrepreneur,” it said in a statement. Opposition parties and trade unions criticized the alliance for wanting to weaken workers’ rights. For example, the future government plans to cut unemployment benefits, simplify layoffs, tighten the right to strike and eliminate continued wages for the first day of sickness.
Income tax is to be reduced by half a billion euros during the legislative period in order to relieve low and middle earners. This is to be financed with an increase in VAT for many products and services from 10 percent to 14 percent. These include pharmaceuticals, film screenings, cultural and entertainment events and accommodation services.
Right-wing populists receive seven ministerial posts
The Finns will get seven cabinet posts, just one fewer than Orpo’s National Coalition Party. Party leader Purra could reportedly take over the finance ministry. In addition, the right-wing populists, who have not yet had any government experience, will also be given the interior and justice ministries. The Swedish People’s Party will send two ministers, and the Christian Democrats will have one post in the cabinet. In addition, the smaller coalition partners share the Ministry for Sport and Youth – each party provides the department head for two and a half years.
Negotiations on a centre-right coalition have been going on since the beginning of May. By Finnish standards, the formation of a government took much longer than usual. According to a report by Finnish radio, the only time it lasted longer was 79 days in the early 1950s. One reason was the relatively long exploratory phase immediately after the election, another was that there were repeated disagreements between the parties.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
