Cutting state funding for churches

Key points of the debate

The debate focused on the 20 million euros cut to central government funding for the social tasks of the Evangelical Lutheran Church and the Orthodox Church. The government parties considered the cut justified as part of central government fiscal adjustment, as the churches' tax revenues are increasing at the same time. The opposition opposed the proposal or considered the cut too large, as the churches' statutory obligations remain unchanged.

• –Will funding for the churches be sufficient for statutory social tasks, such as burial services?
• –Does cutting central government funding place church tax payers in an unequal position as funders of services for non-church members?
• –Was the 20 million euros cut correctly proportioned in relation to the revenue generated by the tax changes?

• National Coalition PartyIn favour with reservations

  Adjustment of central government finances is necessary, but there is concern that parishes will have to cover burial costs that apply to everyone using church taxes paid by church members.

  ”Huolestuttavaa on se, että seurakunnat joutuvat kattamaan hautauskustannuksia kirkollisverorahoilla eli kirkon jäsenet maksavat kirkkoon kuulumattomien hautauksista.”

• Finns PartyIn favour

  Cutting central government funding is a necessary adjustment measure to balance the growth in church tax revenues brought about by other tax changes without jeopardising the churches' finances.

  ”Saamansa selvityksen perusteella hallintovaliokunta pitää esitystä tarpeellisena ja tarkoituksenmukaisena.”

• Christian DemocratsIn favour

  In a difficult fiscal situation, savings are justified, and following the tax revenue changes, the overall finances of parishes will remain positive despite the cut.

  ”on sinänsä ymmärrettävää, että vähennysmuutosten vuoksi syntyvää verotulotuoton kasvua seurakunnille halutaan vetää ikään kuin valtion kassaan vajaat puolet lisäyksen kokonaismäärästä.”

• Social DemocratsIn favour with reservations

  Participation by the churches in efforts to save central government finances is acceptable in principle, but the proposed cut is too large and should be moderated.

  ”Me katsomme kuitenkin, että hallituksen esittämä leikkaus evankelis-luterilaisen kirkon valtionrahoitukseen ja ortodoksisen kirkon avustukseen on tasoltaan liian korkea ja sitä on kohtuullistettava.”

• Centre PartyAgainst

  The state is cutting funding for the churches unilaterally by dismantling an earlier agreement while leaving the heavy statutory obligations unchanged.

  ”Heti alkuun totean, että tulemme toisessa käsittelyssä esittämään tämän lakiesityksen hylkäämistä”

• Left AllianceAgainst

  Social obligations should not be placed on religious communities to cover through membership fees, and because of the cut, church members will have to pay for the burial services of others as well.

  ”Kysymys on periaatteellinen, ja sen takia minäkään vasemmistoliiton edustajana en voi tätä esitystä hyväksyä.”

This digest was generated by AI from 12 speeches 13 Sep 2026. Group positions are read from the speeches, not from votes; quotations were checked verbatim against the record.