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From tax cuts climate change, from rising VAT to Finland’s international reputation, here are some important things know. Space and symbolism could not be more striking, more different. After 2019 Finnish elections, parties of new coalition government presented their policy programs in morning while drinking coffee in Helsinki’s magnificent Oodi Central Library, taking questions from public and journalists alike, before taking a tour of town halls. Visit the country to chat with voters about Finland’s future direction. The right-wing National Coalition Party, known locally as Kokoomus, emerged from April general election with most seats in parliament and partnered with next largest group, far-right Finns Party. Also on board are the Christian Democrats and the Swedish People’s Party, along with Kokoomus leader Petteri Orpo as Finland’s next prime minister. So what are some key things we already know about the new government program and how it might evolve now FILE Riikka Purra, leader of the far-right populist Finns Party, attends an election event in Helsinki, April 2, 2023 AP Photo This is the most right-wing Finnish government of modern times. Kokoomus has a vocal wing of EU skeptic and immigrant skeptic. He became a celebrity among US Christian right when the most prominent member of Christian Democrats’ MP brought a Bible to court accused of being anti-abortion and anti-LGBT. He was later acquitted. Meanwhile, Finns Party’s track record on immigration, the EU and tackling climate crisis speaks for itself. There are also several Finnish Party lawmakers, including senior party members convicted race-related crimes, and the junior cadre of prominent Finnish Party politicians in the past two election cycles are fond Donald Trump’s MAGA movement. “Petteteri Orpo’s government program is building a European, free and secure Finland,” insists Kokoomus MP Elina Valtonen, who is likely to take on one of the major ministries in the new government. “A strong and engaged NATO Finland where consumer choices increased, entrepreneurship pays off, skills are valued, living standards raised and nature is cared for,” he adds. But in stark contrast to outgoing Prime Minister Sanna Marin’s five-party centre-left coalition, “perhaps we have a more right-wing government than ever before,” says political analyst Juho Rahkonen. The leader of Finns Party, Riikka Purra, said the Scandinavian nation should choose a stricter immigration policy called for tighter asylum policy, time-limited protection for asylum seekers, forced integration and plans to reduce number of quota refugees said these policies will increase further. It means “paradigm shift”. The Swedish People’s Party is gambling on reputation In this coalition government, no party is in danger as much as the Swedish People’s Party SFPRKP. With ten seats in parliament, they are only party also in the previous government; an administration that puts intersectional feminism at center of policy making, with Sanna Marin as prime minister. In last four years they have shifted further to the left on internationalism, multiculturalism, human rights and immigration — a situation that Finnish right wing excommunicates. Except for prolonging Finland’s much-criticised fur farming industry. For a party split between ‘rural’ voters of Ostrobothnia and ‘urban’ voters on south coast, Swedish People’s Party may have lost sight of other non-Swedish speaking Finns, immigrants and youth as potential voters. By joining a far-right party in government – indeed, its youth group leaders left government-forming talks to protest co-operation with the Finnish Party, and Henriksson admitted Friday that not all lawmakers are still in party. government with them Petteri Orpo, leader of the National Coalition Party and new prime minister, at a press conference in Helsinki, 16 June 2023 AFP Four billion savings needed Petteri Orpo has pledged €4 billion in savings to reduce Finland’s debt, and that’s a mix of cuts that are never popular with people on the receiving end. There is also of course cost savings and fundraising in the form of VAT increase on products, which will increase from 10% to 15%. This makes it even more expensive to buy drugs, play sports, go to the movies or cultural events, or book a hotel room. “We promised to put the country’s affairs in order before the elections,” says Sinuhe Wallinheimo, MP for Kokoomus. “We promised an adjustment of 6 billion euros and 100,000 new jobs.” Most of savings come from €1.5 billion cuts to social security and recalibration of how regional health systems are financed from central government to deliver efficiency savings. Earnings-related unemployment insurance, housing benefits and some other benefits will b
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