Third supplementary budget for 2019

Key points of the debate

The debate addressed the third supplementary budget for 2019 and, in particular, the weak financial situation of municipalities and bringing forward central government transfers. Although easing the plight of municipalities was widely considered necessary in the chamber, the opposition criticised the Government's economic and employment policy as well as insufficient funding for new obligations. The general line of the proposal received broad support, but dissenting opinions tabled by the opposition created disagreement over the adequacy of appropriations.

• –Are the measures in the supplementary budget and bringing forward central government transfers sufficient to resolve the deepening financial crisis in municipalities?
• –Has the Government allocated sufficient funding for the new obligations planned for municipalities, such as minimum staffing levels for care personnel?
• –Is the Government taking enough concrete action to improve employment and strengthen public finances?

• Social DemocratsIn favour

  The group considered the supplementary budget a much-needed gesture towards municipalities to repair the effects of cuts made by the previous government and ease the cash crisis in municipalities.

  ”Tämä toimi, mitä tässä lisätalousarviossa tehdään, on varsin tarpeellinen, eli näitä kiky-palautuksia ennenaikaistetaan, millä helpotetaan kuntien tilannetta edellisen hallituksen jäljiltä”

• Centre PartyIn favour

  The group supported the proposal, thanked the Government for responding quickly to the plight of municipalities, and considered tax revenue equalisations and central government transfers vital for safeguarding services across the entire country.

  ”Ensinnäkin pidän erittäin hyvänä sitä, että hallitus elää ajassa ja tämän lisätalousarvion kautta nyt tulee tämä 237 miljoonaa euroa kunnille.”

• GreensIn favour

  The group considered bringing forward the payment of central government transfers essential to relieve the acute cash crisis in municipalities, while also stressing the need for the health and social services reform in long-term stabilisation of municipal finances.

  ”Tälle vuodelle siirrettävä 237 miljoonan euron summa vähennetään vastaavasti ensi vuoden valtionosuuksista, eli tällä helpotetaan kuntien akuuttia kassakriisiä tänä vuonna.”

• Left AllianceIn favour

  The group supported reversing the cuts to central government transfers and bringing payments forward, noting that this brings immediate relief to the difficult financial situation of municipalities and safeguards basic services.

  ”Hallitus on päättänyt lopettaa kuntien valtionosuuksien leikkaukset tämän vuoden lopussa, ja nyt helpotetaan kuntien tilannetta aikaistamalla osa tästä.”

• Swedish People's PartyIn favour

  The group considered bringing forward funding very welcome assistance for municipalities and hoped that future reforms would feature thorough impact assessments and stability.

  ”Tämä käsittelyssä oleva valtion lisätalousarvio on todella tärkeä ja hyvä juttu.”

• National Coalition PartyIn favour with reservations

  The group considered support for municipalities a step in the right direction, but strongly criticised the Government's lack of employment measures and warned that new obligations would fall on municipalities to pay without full funding.

  ”Sinällään tämä ehdotus, mikä nyt tässä pöydällä on, on positiivinen.”

• Finns PartyIn favour with reservations

  The group considered bringing forward central government transfers an inadequate first aid, demanded that discretionary central government transfers to municipalities be multiplied, and criticised the Government's spending policy.

  ”me esitämme tähän, että harkinnanvaraista valtionosuutta kasvatetaan siitä 10 miljoonasta 60 miljoonaan, ja se tulee tässä meidän vastalauseessa hyvin esille.”

• Christian DemocratsIn favour with reservations

  The group pointed out that the financial crisis in municipalities is structural and considered the appropriation of 10 million euros for discretionary assistance underbudgeted given the high number of applicants.

  ”Toki harkinnanvarainen on aina sellainen, jolla nimenomaan haetaan tilapäisesti apua, mutta nämä kuntien luvut kertovat siitä, että kyse on pitkäaikaisesta ongelmasta.”

This digest was generated by AI from 72 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.