Riikka Purra dismissed the idea that governemnt savings are targeting the most vulnerable.
Finance Minister Riikka Purra (Finns) said Finland’s public finances are under severe strain, following the government’s unveiling of its 2027–2030 fiscal plan earlier this week.
“The state of public finances is extremely difficult, and the debt-to-GDP ratio is approaching 90 percent,” she told Yle’s Ykkösaamu chat show on Saturday. “We’ve been hit not only by external shocks. We also have high unemployment, near-zero economic growth and an ageing population.”
The government this week said it plans to cut 240 million euros from social and healthcare spending.
Finns Party leader Purra dismissed the idea that savings are targeting the most vulnerable.
“We have sought to target increases at those able to pay. We also had to raise health centre fees. These are ultimately decided by the wellbeing services counties, but the government sets the framework,” Purra said.
At the same time, Purra argued there is little point in introducing new support measures for businesses.
Instead, she said policy should aim to strengthen market-based mechanisms, noting that Finland’s market-driven private sector is small.
“The real question is how we can reform our society and improve the conditions for growth so that companies can operate on their own.”
Purra directed criticism at the previous centre-left government, saying the obligations placed on the wellbeing service counties have grown for years.
As an example, she pointed to the previous government’s electric bicycle tax benefit. According to Purra, there are a large number of expenses ultimately paid for by taxpayers.
“Pensions, social security and healthcare make up a significant share. If you also add defence, there’s not much left. According to the opposition, savings should not be made in these areas, but that is not possible,” Purra said.
