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Sun, 03 Aug, 2014 03:33:48 AM
Discussions of budget 2015 begin next week
FTimes-STT Report, August 3
 
Vasemmistoliitto (Left Alliance) chairman Paavo Arhinmäki. Photo Lehtikuva.
Opposition parties in parliament are set to suggest during the upcoming budget discussions for 2015 that the government should take effective measures for creating employment opportunities and refrain from cutting benefits in the name of austerity measures.
 
The discussions will begin next week with a view to enact an effective budget for next year to face the ongoing economic crisis of the country.
 
The opposition Suomen Keskusta (Centre Party) will advise the government to take measures to stimulate entrepreneurship, promote renewable energy, and create employment opportunities.
 
Talking to news agency STT, Keskusta parliamentary group chairman Kimmo Tiilikainen said the Centre Party would welcome some measures such as introducing wage subsidy for the first employee to lone entrepreneurs. 
 
The parliamentary group chairman of Keskusta, Kimmo Tiilikainen. Photo Lehtikuva.
The Centre Party will also suggest improvement of the entrepreneurial situation by reducing trade names and partnerships. 
 
According to Tiilikainen, the reform would bring small business-owners tax benefits equivalent to the corporate income tax reduction for companies. 
 
The Keskusta will also seek an increase in investment in legislative decree-free removal rights, so that companies can expand operations. 
 
The party will also propose government support for the energy sector and restoration of the 2012 taxation for the wood and peat sectors to improve domestic energy’s competitiveness, said Tiilikainen.
 
The party also expects that the school-leaving age would be reset at 17 and the child homecare allowance quota system would be revised.
 
Meanwhile, another opposition party, Perussuomalaiset (Finns Party), also emphasised special measures to face the country’s deteriorating economic situation.
 
Perussuomalaiset parliamentary group chair Jari Lindström said the party wants improvement of the economic situation.
 
“If the forest industries have positive results and large investment, it would create ways to promote infrastructure solutions. A revision of the energy policy can also create employment opportunities,” said Lindström.
 
Pointing out the energy imports worth EUR 8.5 billion, the leader said increasing the use of wood and peat could reduce the import and create job opportunities too.
 
Parliamentary Group chair of the Perussuomalaiset party Jari Lindström. Photo Lehtikuva.
Lindström also proposed tax benefits for use of peat and forest chips and elimination of bureaucracy.
 
He, however, did not say anything about the party’s position on infrastructure and energy financing.
 
“We propose an exploration of funding, for example through development assistance. In summer meeting, the context will be announced in more detailed and more precise terms,” Lindström said.
 
Meanwhile, the Vasemmistoliitto (Left Alliance), which resigned from the government on March 25 following disagreement over fiscal adjustment, is set to oppose strongly the government move to cut various benefits.
 
Vasemmistoliitto chairman Paavo Arhinmäki said his party would apply for other economic solutions such as supporting the domestic demand.
 
“The move to cut pensions, unemployment benefits, student aid, and other social benefits should be cancelled,” said Arhinmäki.
 
He said although the government is aiming at saving Euro 150 million by cutting these benefits, it will incur a loss of Euro 300 million due to a resulting fall in people’s purchasing capacity.
 
 
 
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