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Merging education and culture agencies

The separate agencies operating under the Ministry of Education and Culture will be merged into five larger agencies from the beginning of 2026. The reform will clarify administration and bring together bodies carrying out similar tasks.

Merja Kyllönen: No vote recorded

Regulating short-term rentals and energy efficiency

An annual limit of 90 days will be set for the short-term rental of an unoccupied home in local detailed plan areas, exceeding which will require a building permit. At the same time, provisions on zero-emission buildings and energy efficiency in line with EU directives will be added to the act.

Merja Kyllönen: No vote recorded

Early childhood education and care vouchers

Service vouchers for early childhood education and care will be regulated under a dedicated act instead of health and social services regulation. The use of service vouchers will remain voluntary for municipalities and an option for families to choose a private early childhood education and care place.

Merja Kyllönen: No vote recorded

Reforming Sámi Parliament electoral criteria

The rules for admission to the Sámi Parliament's electoral roll will be reformed and the right of self-determination of the Sámi strengthened. The electoral roll will be recompiled on the basis of new criteria, and an independent appellate board will be established for appeals concerning the electoral roll.

Merja Kyllönen: No vote recorded

Digital education and career planning service

A new national digital service, Osaamispolku, will be established in Finland to support citizens in their education and career choices and in developing their competence. The service will bring together education and labour market data and offer AI-based suggestions according to the user's interests and skills.

Merja Kyllönen: No vote recorded

Easier financing for student housing

State interest-subsidy loans of up to 100 per cent of project costs may be granted for the construction and renovation of student housing. The amendment safeguards the completion of new student housing in a situation where direct state investment grants are no longer awarded for it.

Merja Kyllönen: No vote recorded

Improving pregnancy and organ donor benefits

Pregnant women will be eligible to receive special pregnancy allowance more often and also on a partial basis if working conditions endanger their health and no alternative work is available. Donors of organs, tissues or cells will be fully compensated for loss of earnings resulting from the procedure.

Merja Kyllönen: No vote recorded

Reorganising the National Emergency Supply Agency

The National Emergency Supply Agency will be converted into a government agency, and its employees will transfer to public-service employment relationships. At the same time, the financing and steering model for security of supply will be reformed to reflect the changed security environment.

Merja Kyllönen: No vote recorded

Broadening substitute social worker eligibility

A person who holds a relevant higher education degree in social services or social sciences and has completed basic and intermediate studies in social work may also serve as a substitute social worker. The reform will ease the shortage of staff in the social services sector and in child welfare in particular.

Merja Kyllönen: No vote recorded

Cutting vocational education and training funding

Funding for vocational education and training will be cut by 120 million euros from 2025 onwards, reducing study places for adults who already hold a qualification. At the same time, administrative obligations for upper secondary institutions will be eased, and an additional 10 million euros will be allocated to support for learning in general upper secondary schools.

Merja Kyllönen: No vote recorded

Raising snus and nicotine pouch limits

Travellers may bring in tax-free up to one kilogram of snus and one kilogram of nicotine pouches from another EU country. The previously planned stricter import limit of 200 grams will not be implemented.

Merja Kyllönen: No vote recorded

Vuoden 2026 kolmanneksi lisätalousarvioksi

Merja Kyllönen: No vote recorded

Introducing combination insurance in unemployment security

People engaged in both paid employment and entrepreneurial activity will be able to combine their different income sources to meet the condition regarding previous employment in unemployment security. Working grants and foster carer fees can also be taken into account in earnings-related unemployment security.

Merja Kyllönen: No vote recorded

Finland's accession to NATO

Finland will join the NATO defence alliance and become part of its collective defence. Through accession, Finland will receive NATO's security guarantees and commit to assisting other member states in the event of an attack.

·Merja Kyllönen: Absent

Linking agricultural subsidies to working conditions

Receipt of agricultural subsidies will be linked to compliance with employees' working conditions and occupational safety from the beginning of 2025. In addition, national aid for crop production can be paid in advance earlier than at present.

Merja Kyllönen: No vote recorded

Tightening funding for wellbeing services counties

The rules governing central government funding for wellbeing services counties will be amended by introducing a graduated deductible to the retrospective adjustment and by taking changes in the level of client fees into account in the funding in advance. The amendments aim to encourage wellbeing services counties to curb the growth of costs.

Merja Kyllönen: No vote recorded

Raising reserve age limit to 65

The upper age limit for liability for military service and membership of the reserve will rise from 60 to 65 years. At the same time, the upper age limit for participating in voluntary national defence activities will be removed.

Merja Kyllönen: No vote recorded

Tightening and expanding energy efficiency obligations

Energy saving and reporting obligations for the public sector and energy-intensive companies will be tightened. At the same time, contractual protection for district heating and cooling customers will be improved, and the utilisation of waste heat will be promoted.

Merja Kyllönen: No vote recorded

Removing driving licence examinations from health centres

Health centres will no longer carry out medical examinations or issue certificates for driving licences. A medical report on driving ability will as a rule have to be obtained from a private medical clinic at one's own expense.

Merja Kyllönen: No vote recorded