Approval of the EU recovery package
Government proposal to Parliament on the approval of Council Decision (EU, Euratom) 2020/2053 on the system of own resources of the European Union
Finland will approve the new financing system for the EU budget and a recovery package of 750 billion euros to address the consequences of the coronavirus crisis. The decision gives the European Commission exceptional authorisation to raise joint debt on the capital markets to support member states.
- Status
- Passed
- Submitted
- 28 Jan 2021
- Latest event
- 20 May 2021
- Votes
- 11
- Speeches
- 700
- Source
- eduskunta.fi ↗
What is proposed
The EU own resources decision approves the financing bases for the Union budget for the years 2021–2027 and authorises the Commission to borrow up to 750 billion euros (390 billion euros in grants and 360 billion euros in loans), to be repaid by 2058. At the same time, the ceiling on EU own resources will be temporarily raised by 0.6 percentage points to cover liabilities, a new contribution based on non-recycled plastic packaging waste (0.80 euros per kilogram) will be introduced, and the value added tax (VAT)-based contribution will be simplified.
What it means
Finland's EU contributions during the 2021–2027 period are on average around 2.6 billion euros per year at current prices. Repayment of the grant component of the recovery package will increase Finland's EU contributions in the years 2028–2058 by an estimated 210–500 million euros per year (a total of approximately 6.6 billion euros) including interest, in addition to which Finland incurs an imputed liability of 6.1 billion euros for loan-based support. Finland is estimated to receive around 2.1 billion euros in support from the Recovery and Resilience Facility.
How Parliament voted
The budget is not voted on as a whole. Parliament voted 11 times on individual appropriations and opposition alternatives, and the budget was adopted on the basis of those votes.
A passed act does not enter into force immediately: the President of the Republic confirms it, and it enters into force on the date set in the act.
Debate in the chamber
What was argued and where each group stood, followed by MPs' speeches verbatim from the parliamentary record. Speeches are shown in their original language.
700 speeches · 4 debates
Key points of the debate
The debate concerned the EU own resources decision and the recovery package of 750 billion euros included in it to address the aftermath of the Covid-19 crisis. The Government and part of the opposition viewed joint stimulus and the EU budget as an essential solution to secure Finnish exports, security, and the stability of the European economy. Opponents regarded the package as a violation of the rules and an expensive step towards a transfer and debt union, making the consideration highly controversial.
- Does joint borrowing turn the EU into a permanent debt and transfer union?
- Was the recovery package negotiated in accordance with Finland's economic and national interest?
- Is the package genuinely exceptional and one-off?
- Does stimulating the EU economy benefit Finland's export industry more than the contribution it entails?
- Social DemocratsIn favour
The recovery package is a necessary, exceptional, and one-off measure to lift Europe's economy out of the Covid-19 crisis. As an export-driven country, Finland benefits crucially from a well-functioning internal market and shared stability.
”Hallituksen esitys eduskunnalle Euroopan unionin omien varojen järjestelmästä on tällaisella sisällöllä ainutkertainen, kovalla työllä hyväksyttäväksi hiottu.”
— Johannes Koskinen - Centre PartySplit
The majority of the group supported the proposal, as the package and the accompanying EU budget secure funding for agriculture and regions, as well as operating conditions for the export industry. However, Centre MP Hannu Hoskonen strongly opposed the proposal, citing the treaties and the dangers of a debt union.
”Tämä niin sanottu elpymispaketti on osa EU:n seitsenvuotista budjettia, ja siinä maan hallitus saavutti erinomaisen neuvottelutuloksen.”
— Antti Kurvinen - GreensIn favour
Joint stimulus strengthens the stability of the entire Union and provides vital funding for the green transition, research, and advancing climate goals amidst the crisis.
”Keskinäisriippuvaisessa maailmassa myös tietä ulos on etsittävä yhdessä. Vahva EU on Suomenkin etu.”
— Mari Holopainen - Left AllianceIn favour
Coordinated stimulus directly supports the real economy and employment while avoiding the mistakes of past economic crises and harmful austerity policies.
”On Suomen etu, että koko Eurooppa elpyy koronakurimuksesta. Euroopan ja EU:n vakauden säilyminen on Suomen edun mukaista.”
— Hanna Sarkkinen - Swedish People's PartyIn favour
It is in Finland's interest to be at the core of a functioning and united Union, and the solution provides stability and economic leeway amidst the crisis.
”EU:n osana me ollaan itsenäisempiä kuin ennen.”
— Anders Adlercreutz - National Coalition PartyIn favour with reservations
The group emphasised the importance of EU membership and the internal market for Finland, but sharply criticised the Government's negotiation outcome and joint liability in the form of grants. Approval was tied to strict parliamentary conditions and the requirement that it remain a one-off.
”Kuten sanoin, kokoomus on voimakas Euroopan unionin kannattaja ja me haluamme kehittää Euroopan unionia, mutta meitä korpeaa suunnattomasti se, että tämä paketti on neuvoteltu huonosti.”
— Petteri Orpo - Finns PartyAgainst
The package breaches the EU treaties, leads to a harmful transfer and debt union, and saddles Finnish taxpayers with other countries' debts without any genuine stimulus effect.
”Perussuomalaiset vastustavat elpymispakettia juuri niistä syistä, joita on tuotu esiin lukuisissa perussuomalaisten puheenvuoroissa.”
— Jussi Halla-aho - Christian DemocratsAgainst
The proposal erodes the EU's rules-based framework and pushes the Union towards a permanent transfer and debt union without benefiting Finnish taxpayers.
”Kristillisdemokraatit ovat nostaneet esille suuremman huolen, sen, voimmeko me suomalaiset luottaa siihen, että näistä EU:n perusperiaatteista ja perussopimuksesta pidetään kiinni.”
— Sari Essayah - Movement NowAgainst
The recovery package was negotiated poorly from Finland's perspective, and the whole package should be renegotiated.
”EU:n elvytyspaketti on huonosti neuvoteltu. Se pitäisi avata ja neuvotella uusiksi.”
— Harry Harkimo - Turtiainen groupAgainst
The recovery instrument does not genuinely stimulate the economy, but rather aims to make Finland part of an EU federal state.
”Elpymisrahasto muuttaa Euroopan unionin toimintaa radikaalilla tavalla, ja sen yhtenä päätarkoituksena on saattaa Suomea EU:n liittovaltioon.”
— Ano Turtiainen
This digest was generated by AI from 700 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.
Keskustelu päättyi. Asia lähetettiin valtiovarainvaliokuntaan, jolle perustuslakivaliokunnan ja talousvaliokunnan on annettava lausunto.
Keskustelu ja asian käsittely keskeytettiin.
Täysistunto keskeytettiin kello 13.51. Täysistuntoa jatkettiin kello 15.16. Keskustelu pöydällepanosta päättyi. Selonteko hyväksyttiin. Eduskunta päätti jatkaa asian käsittelyä tässä täysistunnossa.
Täysistunto ja asian käsittely keskeytettiin kello 17.30. Täysistuntoa ja asian käsittelyä jatkettiin kello 18.15. Selonteko hyväksyttiin. Asia pantiin pöydälle seuraavaan, tänään pidettävään 2. täysistuntoon.
Stages of consideration
The bill's path from the preliminary debate to the decision, as recorded by Parliament.
- 28 Jan 2021Eduskuntakäsittelyn vireilletulo · Valtiovarainministeriö
- 10 Feb 2021Lähetekeskustelu · Täysistunto
- 5 May 2021Valiokunnan mietintö tai lausunto · valtiovarainvaliokunta
- 18 May 2021Ainoa käsittely · Täysistunto
- 19 May 2021Eduskunnan vastaus ja kirjelmä
Decisions by law proposal1
- Neuvoston päätös (EU, Euratom) 2020/2053 Euroopan unionin omien varojen järjestelmästä ja päätöksen 2014/335/EU, Euratom kumoamisestaHyväksytty
Proposed law text
The law proposals in the bill as the Government presented them. The final act may differ after committee consideration.
The law text is shown in Finnish or Swedish from Parliament's official documents; it is not translated into English.
Main content of the bill (official)
The summary and title were produced with AI on 2 Sep 2026. They are not official documents – check the details in the original bill. The title and summaries are machine translations of the Finnish AI summaries. Speeches and quotations are always shown in their original language.