Finnish government survives confidence vote with 99–86 decision

The Finnish parliament has voted 99–86 in favour of maintaining confidence in the government, following an opposition-led no-confidence motion over economic policy failures, reports Yle. Fourteen MPs were absent from the vote.

Opposition parties—including the Social Democrats (SDP), Centre Party, Left Alliance, Greens, and the Movement Now—submitted the motion on May Day, accusing the government of failing to meet key economic targets. Debate took place in a plenary session on Tuesday.

The opposition criticised the government for missing its goals of reducing debt, creating 100,000 new jobs, achieving sustainable growth, and improving living standards. According to Statistics Finland, unemployment has instead risen by 100,000 people, while employment has weakened. The public deficit is projected to deepen to 4.6% of GDP this year—far exceeding the government’s 1% target for 2027—and national debt continues to grow.

Prime Minister Petteri Orpo (National Coalition Party) defended the government’s record, arguing it had implemented stimulative policies and growth reforms amid challenging conditions. He cited EU Commission assessments and credit rating agencies as validation, adding that industrial output and consumer activity showed signs of recovery.

SDP parliamentary group chair Tytti Tuppurainen, the motion’s lead signatory, called the government’s economic policy “the most failed in Europe,” stating it had lost its mandate to govern.

The government’s term continues after surviving the vote.