Supplementing the 2017 budget

Key points of the debate

The debate addressed the supplementary budget for 2017 and the broad direction of the Government's economic and employment policy. The government parties emphasised that the economy was turning onto a growth path and that balancing public finances was essential. The opposition, for its part, criticised the Government for divisive austerity policies and inadequate employment measures, although retaining the nurse staffing ratio was widely welcomed.

• –Are the Government's cuts to social security and education fair and necessary?
• –Is the improvement in the economy and employment caused by government measures or economic cycles?
• –Are the additional recapitalisation and state guarantee for Terrafame economically and environmentally justified?

• National Coalition PartyIn favour

  The National Coalition Party supported the proposal and emphasised that although the economy shows budding signs of growth, balancing public finances still requires discipline and responsible savings.

  ”Myös tilannekuva on sama kuin se oli varsinaista talousarvioesitystä annettaessa, eli Suomen talous on hienoisessa kasvussa, mutta kuitenkin erityisesti julkisen talouden haasteet ovat erittäin suuria nyt ja vielä k”

• Finns PartyIn favour

  The Finns Party supported the proposal and saw several positive signs in the national economy, while welcoming the additional funding for the police and the cancellation of the cut to the nurse staffing ratio.

  ”Tästä huolimatta kansantaloutemme tilassa on nähtävissä jo useita positiivisia merkkejä.”

• Centre PartyIn favour

  The Centre Party supported the supplementary budget and considered Finland's economy and employment to have turned onto a growth path thanks to the Government's consistent work.

  ”Suomen Pankin mukaan Suomen talous on kääntynyt kasvu-uralle. Ajelehtiminen on päättynyt.”

• Social DemocratsAgainst

  The Social Democrats opposed the Government's budget line, accusing it of increasing inequality and making cuts affecting low-income earners, while welcoming the cancellation of the cut to the nurse staffing ratio.

  ”Suomi valuu nyt kohti osattomuuden yhteiskuntaa, Suomi eriarvoistuu.”

• GreensAgainst

  The Greens opposed the Government's budget, in particular because of extensive cuts targeting education and the most vulnerable.

  ”Hallituksen mittavat leikkaukset koulutukseen syövät osaamisperustaamme ja vievät pohjaa pois tulevaisuuden kasvusta.”

• Left AllianceAgainst

  The Left Alliance opposed the proposal and criticised the Government for neglecting measures to tackle unemployment and cutting the income of the most vulnerable.

  ”Perusporvarihallitus on epäonnistunut Suomen kannalta tärkeimmissä asioissa.”

• Swedish People's PartyAgainst

  The Swedish People's Party shared the general overview of the economic situation but opposed the Government's budget line, putting forward its own alternative to boost growth and employment.

  ”Näkemyksemme kasvun lisäämisestä ja työllisyysasteen nostamisesta on kuitenkin kolmessa ratkaisevassa kohdassa erilainen.”

• Christian DemocratsAgainst

  The Christian Democrats expressed no confidence in the Government's budget policy, although regarding the entrepreneurial deduction and the retention of the nurse staffing ratio, among other things, as positive.

  ”Aivan aluksi kannatan edustaja Östmanin tekemää mietintöön liitettyä kristillisdemokraattien vastalauseeseen sisältyvää epäluottamuslause-ehdotusta.”

• Blue ReformIn favour

  The group's ministers defended the Government's policy line and pointed out that the Government had also implemented savings in its own remuneration levels and party funding.

  ”Ministerien palkkoja on leikattu 7 prosenttia.”

This digest was generated by AI from 270 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.