Finland Times

 

Photo Str- Lehtikuva.

The Speaker’s Council has announced changes in the operations of parliament procedures following the shrinking of the government.

 

The four-party ruling alliance currently has a very slender majority following the departure of Vihreä Liitto (Green League) from the government.

 

The Speaker’s Council agreed on Wednesday to change the procedures in parliament until the end of the term.

 

The voting on bills will henceforth be shifted and focused on Fridays. The voting during the first reading may be held on a Wednesday and notification of a no-confidence motion is required to be made in advance.

 

Foreign travel authorisations will be granted in equal measure for members of parliament both in the government and the opposition.

 

“If one plans to travel, you have to find a friend,” said Speaker Eero Heinäluoma in reference to the balanced travel guideline for MPs.

 

Speaker of the Parliament Eero Heinäluoma. Photo Lehtikuva.

As by the new guideline, travel permits will not be granted during voting on no-confidence motions.

 

The composition of parliament committees will partly be reorganised because the opposition members of parliament make up the majority in the Agriculture and Forestry Committee. The government MPs intend to comprise the majority when the changes will be made after deliberation within parliamentary groups of the parties concerned.

 

The Audit Committee, whose composition is made up of opposition MPs, will be allowed to remain so intact because of the committee’s special nature.

 

The changes are expected to take place next week.