Finnish opposition MPs demand answers from prime minister over Helsinki Garden project

Opposition lawmakers are continuing to press Prime Minister Petteri Orpo for answers over the Helsinki Garden arena project, public broadcaster Yle reports.

Green Party MP Saara Hyrkkö and Left Alliance MP Pia Lohikoski have both demanded clarity from Orpo, who is currently on annual leave. Lohikoski submitted a written parliamentary question on the matter Wednesday, while Hyrkkö—who previously filed a similar question—called on Orpo to step forward and explain the “mess” surrounding the project.

The demands came after the Prime Minister’s Office released Orpo’s written comments on the Helsinki Garden project earlier Wednesday. The project has been advanced by former National Coalition Party politician Jan Vapaavuori.

Orpo told media last week he had never discussed the project’s content or plans with Vapaavuori. However, documents provided to Yle by the Prime Minister’s Office show Vapaavuori lobbied for the arena project in a message sent to Orpo and his aides in spring 2025.

“I trust, however, that you will be able to secure support for this Garden project in the upcoming mid-term budget talks,” Vapaavuori wrote.

Hyrkkö said the exchange suggests that lobbying efforts and the prime minister’s office were in regular contact, not just occasional or incidental. “The messages openly discuss maneuvering and securing support,” she said.

Lohikoski questioned whether Orpo had provided false or incomplete information to parliament. Orpo had previously submitted a written response to interim questions from Hyrkkö and Movement Now MP Harry Harkimo earlier this week.

In spring 2025, the government approved a €35 million investment grant for Helsinki Garden without a formal application. The opposition has raised questions about who initiated the funding decision. Orpo stated that the governing parties made the decision jointly.

“It is strange if the prime minister does not know who proposed the €35 million support for a private arena project as his own party’s objective. Even stranger if he does know but refuses to say,” Lohikoski said in her statement.