Finland Times

 

 

File picture of the overview of the Finnish Parliament. Photo – Str / Lehtikuva.

The lawmakers from both the treasury bench and the opposition in the parliament have expressed interest in focusing on the domestic problems and the much-talked-about structural reforms as their new year’s messages to the people.

 

Talking to the STT, a number of lawmakers said they were interested to raise these issues when they were asked, and spoke about how they would address to the nation, and whether there was any tradition for the lawmakers to make speeches like the traditional speech given by the president to the nation on the occasion of New Year.

 

Main opposition Suomen Keskusta (Centre Party) lawmaker Antti Kaikkonen said his main concern was the well being of families with children.

 

According to Kaikkonen, the recent tragic happenings showed that families with children lived in tough predicaments that unravel in different ways.

 

Another opposition lawmaker of Perussuomalaiset (Finns Party), Hanna Mäntylä, said she would be interested to raise issues like the problems related to youth and young adults, as well as mental health problems.

 

A lawmaker of Kansallinen Kokoomus (National Coalition Party), the biggest component of the six-party alliance government, Sanni Grahn-Laasonen expressed concerns about the negative attitudes towards the reforms package taken by the government with the view to cut expenditure for facing the ongoing economic crisis.

 

The ruling party leader said there was need to have courage to look for alternatives and embark on reforms.

 

Risto Kalliorinne of the Vasemmistoliitto (Left Alliance), another component of the alliance government, expressed interest to focus on the exorbitant salaries of the heads of the private companies.

 

Jörn Donner of Suomen ruotsalainen kansanpuolue (Swedish People's Party of Finland), also an ally of the government, called for "the awakening of new reality, that would require a lot of sacrifice and effort and which the GDP share of the state and the municipalities is abridged."