Supplementing the 2018 budget

Key points of the debate

Parliament debated the supplement to the 2018 central government budget and broader economic policy in a heated exchange between the Government and the opposition. The government parties highlighted positive trends in economic growth and employment as well as the stabilisation of public finances. The opposition, for its part, criticised the Government for ignoring growing inequality, cutting education and basic social security, and unfair income distribution.

• –Should the fruits of economic growth be shared equally by all, or does the budget increase inequality?
• –Have central government indebtedness and the structural deficit been curbed sufficiently during the economic upswing?
• –Are index freezes and cuts to benefits reasonable for the most vulnerable?

• National Coalition PartyIn favour

  Economic growth and employment have improved rapidly, and the line chosen by the Government of work and moderate fiscal policy is producing results without extra fiscal leeway.

  ”Tänään saimme jälleen kerran hyviä uutisia Suomen talouden ja työllisyyden kehityksestä.”

• Centre PartyIn favour

  The Government's actions have turned Finland's economy into a strong upswing, created jobs, and made additional investments in transport projects and central government transfers to municipalities possible.

  ”Hallituksen esitys täydentävästä budjetista ensi vuoden talousarviota koskien on erittäin hyvä ja perusteltu ja kuvaa hyvin sitä, mikä on Suomen talouden tilanne tällä hetkellä.”

• Blue ReformIn favour

  The economic policy pursued by the Government has been responsible and effective, the employment rate is rising, and important additional resources have been allocated to internal security and veterans.

  ”Tämä budjetti on vastuullinen budjetti, jonka ovat tehneet hallituspuolueet, siniset, keskusta ja kokoomus, yhdessä.”

• Finns PartyAgainst

  The Government does not pay sufficient attention to low-income people outside working life and pensioners, nor does it curb spending arising from immigration or EU liabilities.

  ”Kannatan edustaja Meren tekemää epäluottamuslause-ehdotusta.”

• Social DemocratsAgainst

  The fruits of economic growth are not being distributed fairly; instead, the Government continues a policy that increases inequality and cuts basic social security, as well as support for low-income earners and families with children.

  ”Olosuhteissa, joissa talous kasvaa, on käsittämätöntä, ettei haluta eriarvoisuuskehitystä ja sen aiheuttamia ongelmia korjata nyt tässä budjetissa, jonka hallitus on esittänyt.”

• GreensAgainst

  The Government is not investing enough in education, family leave reform or climate action, and despite economic growth, basic social security for low-income earners is falling behind.

  ”Talouden piristyminen on iloinen asia, mutta me olemme samaan aikaan hyvin pettyneitä siihen, että hallitus ei millään pysty jakamaan talouskasvun hedelmiä paremmin.”

• Left AllianceAgainst

  Economic policy increases income inequality and poverty, cuts education, and weakens the sustainability of public finances because of unfair tax cuts.

  ”Heti puheeni alkuun haluan kannattaa edustaja Uotilan tekemää epäluottamuslausetta.”

• Swedish People's PartyAgainst

  Although easing the taxation of labour is a step in the right direction, the Government's actions in reforming the labour market and economic structures are too modest.

  ”Monien toimenpiteiden kohdalla nähdään tällä hetkellä hyviä päätöksiä ja suunta on aivan oikea, mutta joissakin asioissa ne askeleet ovat todella vaatimattomia.”

• Christian DemocratsAgainst

  The benefits of growth do not reach families with children and older people, whose livelihoods continue to be eroded by index cuts and freezes.

  ”Aivan aluksi haluan kannattaa edustaja Östmanin tekemää epäluottamuslausetta.”

This digest was generated by AI from 245 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.