News about legislation

Keep up with the latest legislative developments in Scandinavia in our "Legislation" section. We provide detailed coverage of new laws, amendments, and regulatory changes across Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland. Whether it's updates on parliamentary sessions, legal reforms, or policy debates, our reports ensure you stay informed about the legislative processes shaping the future of the region.

Tuesday 17th September 2024 on 13:54 in Iceland Iceland

Protests erupt outside Icelandic government building over Yazan Tamimi’s deportation case

Tuesday 17th September 2024 on 12:34 in Faroe Islands Faroe Islands

Faroe Islands disability rights under scrutiny in new UN report

Monday 16th September 2024 on 19:13 in Iceland Iceland

Icelandic Ministry of Justice proposes bill to allow funeral homes to charge fees for body storage

Monday 16th September 2024 on 10:35 in Finland Finland

Breastfeeding integration increases in Finnish workplaces following family leave reform

Friday 13th September 2024 on 05:50 in Finland Finland

Koskimäki calls for reforms in crime report handling amid rising backlog in Finland

Thursday 12th September 2024 on 17:23 in Sweden Sweden

Sweden struggles with violent gang crime despite increased police funding and personnel

Thursday 12th September 2024 on 14:23 in Faroe Islands Faroe Islands

Health Ministry of Faroe Islands seeks new director after former’s reprimand

Thursday 12th September 2024 on 14:23 in Sweden Sweden

Swedish government proposes substantial increase in return grant for foreign nationals

Thursday 12th September 2024 on 13:47 in Finland Finland

On Thursday, the Finnish government presented a legislative proposal aimed at restricting the immediate transition of ministers into private sector roles or lobbying positions after their tenure. The proposed law would impose a maximum 12-month cooling-off period for individuals who have served as ministers or the prime minister, preventing them from entering such positions when necessary. This measure seeks to combat the “revolving door” phenomenon, where decision-makers shift to the private sector or advocacy positions immediately after serving in government. Previously, there had been no specific legislation in Finland addressing this issue, with past governments only making principled decisions. Comparable regulations are more common in other European countries, and calls for such restrictions have also come from European anti-corruption agencies. The government led by former Prime Minister Sanna Marin attempted to enact similar legislation in the fall of 2022; however, the proposal lapsed as it could not be processed before the end of the parliamentary session. Under the current proposal, a cooling-off period would apply if a minister had access to information that could significantly benefit their new role or create a clear conflict of interest. Ministers intending to transition to a new position must notify a newly established cooling-off committee, which would have the authority to impose the restriction. During the cooling-off period, they would receive compensation equivalent to their ministerial salary, estimated at around €135,000 for a one-year period. The law is expected to come into effect in September 2027.

Thursday 12th September 2024 on 07:45 in Faroe Islands Faroe Islands

The legal authority for the proposed bird protection measures extends further, making it unnecessary to present the matter to the Parliament concerning the 500-meter offshore protection zone. This was affirmed by Ingilín D. Strøm, the Minister of Environment, in response to a question from Parliament member Árni Skaale regarding the intended protection zone. Skaale inquired whether the proposed regulations concerning navigation near bird habitats were based on the correct legal foundation. He argued that the legal authority primarily seems to pertain to regulations related to the oil industry. Consequently, he expressed concerns that the protections outlined in the regulation may have been established on a legal basis originally intended for different primary objectives. Ingilín D. Strøm countered by stating that she possesses the authority under environmental protection legislation related to marine environments. She emphasized that the Parliament has granted her the power to safeguard bird populations from harmful impacts caused by navigation and disruptive activities in coastal areas.