Politics

 

Government looks to UK for ideas on employment and integration

Employment minister Jari Lindström (Blue) is visiting the UK this week, looking for fresh ideas on how to get more people back to work, and how to better integrate migrants to Finnish society. One programme the minister will be learning more…

Bitcoins, micro-payments and merch: fundraising innovation on the campaign trail

With the general election only two and a half months away, campaigning is in full swing as parties announce their policy platforms, leaders take part in debates, and candidates try to make themselves as visible as possible. So how do…

SDP’s Maarit Feldt-Ranta stops election campaign after stomach cancer returns

A senior figure in the Social Democrat Party, Maarit Feldt-Ranta, has said she won’t continue her general election campaign, due the return of stomach cancer. In an open letter on Facebook, Feldt-Ranta writes that the cancer had returned once again,…

Ville Niinistö announces Euro Parliament bid

Green party member of parliament Ville Niinistö has announced that he’s running for a seat in the European Parliament elections this coming May. Niinistö also said he’s available to be Finland’s EU commissioner- "I have decided to stand as a candidates in…

Blue Reform MP defects to reality TV star’s Liike Nyt political movement

A Blue Reform MP, former speaker of parliament Maria Lohela has announced she’s jumping ship from her current party, and joining the Liike Nyt parliamentary group instead. The move comes just 13 week before the elections, and she cites her lack…

Government examining international treaty obligations in light of child abuse allegations

The Finnish government say it is re-examining the international treaties it’s signed up to, to make sure the country’s "interpretation" of them is correct says Prime Minister Juha Sipilä (Centre), with regards to migrants and asylum seekers. Interior Minister Kai Mykkänen says that…

Finns Party leader gets slapped with partial Twitter ban

Finns Party leader Jussi Halla-aho has been partially censured by Twitter, a process known informally as ‘shadow banning’. It means that the right wing politician can’t post or comment to the social media site, and his profile is more difficult for users…

Finnish politicians react to Brexit vote

Politicians in Finland have been reacting to the latest Brexit twists and turns. On Tuesday night, Theresa May suffered the biggest defeat of any British Prime Minister in the modern democratic era, when the deal she negotiated with the EU…

80,000 back citizens’ initiative on punishment for asylum seeker sex crimes

More than 80,000 people have signed a citizens’ initiative which calls for foreign sex offenders to automatically lose their existing residence permit, and be immediately deported. The petition was started in December by Tampere woman Saila Al-Jewari shortly after the first Oulu…

Emergency government talks as new Helsinki sex abuse allegations revealed

The three parties which make up the Finnish government coalition are set to hold a series of emergency talks this week, in the wake of sex abuse allegations in Oulu and Helsinki. Today, police said they detained three suspects in…

Latest News

GALLERY: Discovering Finland’s urban wildlife residents

How well do you know your neighbours? No, not your human neighbours, but the other animals that share our cities, towns and villages with…

Morning headlines: Friday 15th January 2020

Cold snap continues across the country A cold front with some extremely chilly temperatures continues across most of central, southern and eastern Finland on Friday…

Morning headlines: Thursday 14th January 2021

Coronavirus update: No new restrictions expected today Public health officials, and Minister Krista Kiuru (SDP) will give a coronavirus update on Thursday morning but are not…

Morning headlines: Wednesday 13th January 2021

Southern snow storm continues, as temperatures drop A snowstorm that swept through southern Finland in the last 36 hours continues on Wednesday, although snow will…

Morning headlines: Tuesday 12th January 2021

Snow storm brings dangerous driving conditions, power outages A snowstorm sweeping across western and southern Finland on Tuesday brings dangerous driving conditions to roads and…

Morning headlines: Monday 11th January 2021

Exceptionally heavy snowfall on the way from Monday night Meteorologists are warning of "exceptional" levels of snowfall with up to 30-40cm of accumulated snow forecast…

Morning headlines: Friday 8th January 2021

Minister calls for faster vaccine delivery from EU Minister of Family and Basic Services Krista Kiuru (SDP) has written to the EU’s Health Commissioner calling for…

Morning headlines: Thursday 7th January 2021

Finnish leaders react to American political violence Finnish leaders have reacted to a night of political violence in America, when armed supporters of US President…