Second supplementary budget for 2019

Key points of the debate

The debate addressed the new Government's first supplementary budget, which increased appropriations especially for transport infrastructure projects and vocational education and training, and reduced central government net borrowing. Although the transport investments and education spending received praise across the government-opposition divide, the debate was lively and the opposition submitted dissenting opinions to the proposal. In particular, there was dispute over the adequacy of employment measures, the regional distribution of projects, and the implementation of the prime minister's party's pension promises.

• –Are the investments and transport infrastructure priorities in the supplementary budget targeted correctly?
• –How and on what timetable will the promised increases to small pensions be implemented?
• –Does the supplementary budget or the Government's policy include sufficient measures to raise the employment rate?

• Social DemocratsIn favour

  The SDP stressed the swift preparation of the proposal and significant investments in transport infrastructure, education, and the preparation of improvements to small pensions.

  ”Lisäbudjettiesitys on tehty harvinaisen nopeasti, ja se on myös harvinaisen vaikuttava.”

• Centre PartyIn favour

  The Centre Party considered the supplementary budget a responsible and balanced package that reduces central government debt and strengthens regional vitality across Finland through basic transport infrastructure management.

  ”Hallituksen esitys vuoden toiseksi lisätalousarvioksi on tasapainoinen kokonaisuus.”

• GreensIn favour

  The Greens supported the supplementary budget and particularly praised its investments in low-emission rail transport, education, and the functioning of social security.

  ”Hallitus lähtee jo tällä ensimmäisellä lisätalousarviollaan määrätietoisesti vähentämään liikenteen ilmastopäästöjä panostamalla raideliikenteeseen.”

• Left AllianceIn favour

  The Left Alliance supported the proposal, praised the swift future investments in rail infrastructure and vocational education and training, and considered the economic direction to be right.

  ”Tämä lisätalousarvio on tehty nopeasti. Hallitus lähtee heti laittamaan raiteita ja koulutusta kuntoon.”

• Swedish People's PartyIn favour

  The Swedish People's Party praised the swiftly prepared supplementary budget for improvements to basic transport infrastructure management and the rail network, which address key problem areas.

  ”Perusväylänpitoon 40 miljoonaa euroa, parannuksia moneen rataosuuteen. Nämä on nyt hyvä saada liikkeelle.”

• National Coalition PartyIn favour with reservations

  The National Coalition Party regarded the transport projects as positive and supported curbing debt, but submitted a dissenting opinion criticising the lack of employment measures and uncertainties in pension promises.

  ”Kokoomuksen valtiovarainvaliokunnan ryhmä on jättänyt vastalauseen tähän Rinteen hallituksen ensimmäiseen lisätalousarvioon.”

• Finns PartyIn favour with reservations

  The Finns Party considered the funding for transport infrastructure and vocational education necessary, but submitted a dissenting opinion and demanded additional investments in the road network by cutting development aid.

  ”Me lisäisimme väylähankkeisiin niitä miljoonia, joita puolestaan leikkaisimme tehottomasta kehitysavusta.”

• Christian DemocratsIn favour with reservations

  The Christian Democrats supported the transport and rail projects in the supplementary budget, but pointed out the need for responsibility in the use of state funds and hoped for more detailed economic guidelines.

  ”Yhdyn Adlercreutzin analyysiin, että se on aika hyvä. Se ei ole hyvä, mutta se on aika hyvä.”

This digest was generated by AI from 205 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.