Central government budget for 2018

Key points of the debate

The debate centred on the central government budget for 2018 and the distribution of the fruits of economic growth. The government parties emphasised the turnaround in the economy, curbing public debt, and improving employment, whereas the opposition criticised the budget for widening income disparities, continuing spending cuts, and cutting holiday bonuses in the public sector. The proposal sparked sharp political disagreement between the Government and the opposition.

• –Do the Government's economic and tax decisions increase income inequality and disparity?
• –Who bears responsibility for the cuts to public sector holiday bonuses under the Competitiveness Pact?
• –Are measures aimed at businesses, such as the entrepreneur deduction, fair and effective?
• –Are investments in education, basic security, and internal security sufficient?

• National Coalition PartyIn favour

  The group considered that economic policy had set Finland on a path of broad-based growth and emphasised that improving employment is the most effective way to safeguard the services of the welfare society.

  ”Tänä vuonna on ensimmäistä kertaa yhdeksään vuoteen nähty laaja-alaista talouskasvua, joka ei nojaa pelkästään rakentamiseen tai kotimaiseen kulutukseen.”

• Centre PartyIn favour

  The group defended the budget as strengthening economic growth and halting the accumulation of debt, and stressed that work is the most crucial remedy in preventing inequality.

  ”Hallituksen budjettiesitys jatkaa edellisten vuosien linjaa: kasvua, työllisyyttä ja välittämistä. Suomen talouden syöksykierre on nyt oikaistu.”

• Blue ReformIn favour

  The group supported the budget and highlighted promoting entrepreneurship, easing taxes on labour, and making additional investments in internal and external security.

  ”5. syyskuuta vietettiin 20. kerran yrittäjän päivää. Suomi elää menestyvistä yrityksistä ja osaavista työntekijöistä.”

• Finns PartyAgainst

  The group regarded economic growth as positive, but criticised the growth in inequality, the costs of immigration, and rising housing and living expenses.

  ”Faktaa kuitenkin on, että eriarvoisuus on lisääntymässä, ja se on huolestuttavaa, vaarallista.”

• Social DemocratsAgainst

  The group criticised the budget for continuing the politics of cuts and increasing income disparities, and demanded the reversal of cuts to public sector employees' holiday bonuses.

  ”Talous kasvaa, mutta leikkaukset jatkuvat.”

• GreensAgainst

  The group opposed the budget because it deepens poverty and inequality, cuts education, and does not address environmentally harmful business subsidies.

  ”Köyhät köyhtyvät ja rikkaat rikastuvat — siinä hallituksen budjettiesityksen sisältö pähkinänkuoressa.”

• Left AllianceAgainst

  The group opposed the proposal because of policies that increase income disparities, and criticised the Government for targeting cuts at low-income earners while supporting the wealthy and businesses with tax breaks.

  ”Vasemmistoliiton tilaama laskema eduskunnan tietopalvelusta osoittaa, että hallituksen päätökset kasvattavat tuloeroja Suomessa.”

• Swedish People's PartyIn favour with reservations

  The group welcomed economic growth and investments in security, but considered the budget to lack vision and to neglect major structural reforms as well as education.

  ”Suurin puute tässä talousarvioesityksessä on the big picture -ajattelussa ja konkreettisissa toimenpiteissä.”

• Christian DemocratsAgainst

  The group regarded economic growth as positive, but criticised the budget for cuts targeted at families with children and older people, as well as the abolition of the child deduction.

  ”Talouskasvu on toki erittäin hyvä asia, mutta kaikki eivät siitä kyllä pääse hyötymään. Tuloerojen kasvu koskee erityisesti ikääntyvää väestönosaa.”

This digest was generated by AI from 1089 speeches 13 Sep 2026. Group positions are read from the speeches, not from votes; quotations were checked verbatim against the record. The longest speeches were shortened in the digest's source material.