Experts say Orpo’s A-studio appearance fails to end Garden controversy

Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s appearance on Yle’s A-studio programme on Wednesday evening will not be enough to quiet the controversy surrounding the Helsinki Garden project, according to political experts.

Orpo admitted during the interview that the issue stemmed from a communication error. Alec Neihum, a political reporter for MTV Uutiset, and Hanna Wass, an associate professor, both argued that unresolved questions remain, including how the project ended up in the National Coalition Party’s sphere, the sources of employment figures, and the conditions attached to its financing.

Wass highlighted broader concerns about election funding, lobbying, and transparency in Finland, noting that the country’s self-image as a transparent, anti-corruption society is now under scrutiny. Neihum pointed out that while Orpo repeatedly stressed the funding remains conditional, the specific terms for Helsinki Garden to receive the money are still unclear.