Facts: The Orpo government
Petteri Orpo becomes Finland’s new prime minister. In the government, his Samlingsparty gets eight posts and the True Finns seven.
The Swedish People’s Party has to settle for three ministerial posts, one of which is for half the term. The Christian Democrats get 1.5 ministerial positions.
The true Finns seized important ministries such as finance, foreign trade and the ministry of social affairs. The party may also appoint ministers of justice, the interior and communications.
The governing Samlingspartiet shall lead the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and appoint the Minister of Defence, Minister of Culture and Research and Minister of Climate Change.
The Finnish governing parties call their bargain program for “A strong and committed Finland”.
The parties must implement the goals in the country’s climate act and want the country to become a leader in hydrogen investments. The so-called distribution obligation – where companies that distribute fuels are obliged to deliver a minimum proportion of renewable fuels – will remain, but with lower requirements than the government’s previous plan. Instead of 31 percent in 2027, the requirement is gradually raised to 22.5 percent. If this leads to higher prices at the pump, then the fuel tax must be lowered.
Retirement day is introduced
Employers should not have to pay wages for the first sick day – in principle a qualifying day – it will be easier to dismiss staff and income tax should be reduced, writes Swedish EPN. Housing allowance will not be possible for those who own their home.
Anyone born in the coming years may be delighted by a government penny to invest.
“The government is investigating the possibility of introducing a share savings account for newborns, to which the state donates an initial investment to each new-born Finnish child as part of the maternity package,” the program says.
Stronger beer – maybe wine
Stronger beer – 8 percent from today’s 5.5 – will be allowed to be sold in grocery stores, and the question of even stronger drinks – up to 15 percent – will also be allowed to do so must be investigated.
“The government is reforming alcohol policy in a European direction in a responsible manner and continuing the total reform of the alcohol law that was made in 2018,” the program says.
The government believes that more nuclear power is needed, and will approve any application that meets the criteria. The parties also want to simplify the permit process for wind power, but at the same time want to introduce new obligations on the companies to “increase the acceptance of wind power in society”.