Complementing the 2019 budget

Key points of the debate

The debate addressed the complementary proposal to the 2019 budget proposal and the direction of the Government's economic and employment policy at the end of the parliamentary term. The government parties highlighted economic growth, a significant improvement in employment and a halt to rising indebtedness. The opposition, for its part, criticised the Government for cuts to basic social security and education, and for neglecting vulnerable groups during an economic upturn.

• –Are economic growth and improved employment due to the Government's policies or economic cycles?
• –Were low-income earners and those living on basic social security treated fairly?
• –Were sufficient investments made in education and climate action?

• National Coalition PartyIn favour

  The National Coalition Party considered the proposal a success and stressed the strengthening of employment and the reduction in borrowing needs thanks to the Government's actions.

  ”Jos katsotaan ensin näitä isoja lukuja velkaantumisesta: Vuoden 18 eli kuluvan vuoden velkaantuminen aikanaan budjetoitiin 3,1 miljardiin euroon, ja nyt me olemme tälle vuodelle kuitenkin kohdentaneet”

• Centre PartyIn favour

  The Centre Party supported the proposal and took the view that the Government's economic policy had turned Finland's course towards higher employment and solvency.

  ”Ei politiikka koskaan täydellistä ole, mutta on tullut nämä keskeiset talouspolitiikan tulokset, jotka kaikki ovat toteutuneet.”

• Blue ReformIn favour

  Blue Reform defended the budget and argued that the Government's economic and employment policy had helped tens of thousands of Finns into work.

  ”Nykyisen hallituksen aikana työllisyys on kasvanut noin 115 000 henkilöllä.”

• Finns PartyAgainst

  The Finns Party opposed the proposal and tabled a motion of no confidence in the Government, citing inequality, poverty and shortcomings in elderly care, among other issues.

  ”Haluamme panostaa Suomeen ja suomalaisiin ja olemme tarjonneet vaihtoehtobudjetissamme hallituksen esitystä selvästi oikeudenmukaisemman vaihtoehdon.”

• Social DemocratsAgainst

  The Social Democrats opposed the proposal and criticised the Government for cuts to benefits for low-income earners, bureaucracy under the active model, and a lack of investments in the future.

  ”Hallituksen syvästi epäoikeudenmukainen linja kilpistyy juuri siihen, että tilanteessa, jossa on korkeasuhdanne, tilanteessa, jossa työllisyys kasvaa, talous kasvaa, jossa olemme saaneet kuulla, että kerta”

• GreensAgainst

  The Greens criticised the proposal for insufficient climate action, environmentally harmful subsidies, and neglect of education and poverty reduction.

  ”On aivan selvä, että meidän täytyy tehdä kunnianhimoista politiikkaa siinä, että pystymme pitämään ilmaston lämpenemisen 1,5 asteessa”

• Left AllianceAgainst

  The Left Alliance opposed the budget and accused the Government of repeated cuts to the income of low-income earners and to vocational education and training even during economic growth.

  ”Mikä on tämän hallituksen linja? Se on, että satoi tai paistoi, kaikista pienituloisimmilta leikataan.”

• Swedish People's PartyAgainst

  The Swedish People's Party tabled a motion of no confidence in the Government and expressed concern over the long-term sustainability gap and the adequacy of investments in employment and education.

  ”Aivan aluksi kannatan edustaja Blomqvistin tekemää epäluottamuslause-esitystä, jotta en unohda sitä asiaa.”

• Christian DemocratsAgainst

  The Christian Democrats supported a motion of no confidence in the Government, while acknowledging the economic turnaround, and expressed concern about the sustainability gap and cuts to development cooperation.

  ”Mutta tässä ihan ensiksi kannatan edustaja Östmanin tekemää epäluottamusesitystä.”

This digest was generated by AI from 236 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.