Finland Times

 

Kimmo Tiilikainen, the chairman of the Keskusta parliamentary group. Photo Lehtikuva

The opposition Suomen Keskusta (Centre Party) on Friday censured the outcome of the “mini-government negotiations” concluded on Thursday.

 

Kimmo Tiilikainen, the chairman of the party’s parliamentary group criticised what he referred to as the Stubb government “making decisions on behalf of the next government”.

 

Furthermore, Tiilikainen said the government took decisions focused on development projects mainly in Espoo, Helsinki and Tampere, while turning its back on the rest.

 

This comes after the five ruling parties agreed to bankroll various major infrastructure and development projects in Helsinki, Espoo and Turku. Sizable funding will go towards projects like the City Rail Loop in Helsinki, the metro line to the west of the Helsinki metropolitan area and tramline construction in Tampere.

 

According to Tiilikainen, the country needs immediate action to tackle unemployment and economic problems. 

 

He claimed that the government programme will not change the direction which the country is taking.

 

Meanwhile, Aila Paloniemi, another Keskusta lawmaker criticised the government for neglecting polytechnics during the negotiations.

 

Paloniemi believes higher education will no longer be treated equally.

 

Paloniemi faulted the unequal treatment of polytechnics citing the government decision to improve funding for universities while sticking by to the decision to cut funding in polytechnics.