Finland Times

 

Election poster in front of parliament. File Photo Lehtikuva.

The question of economic policy is clearly the number one topic during this election, but the debates on the matter lack any concrete suggestion, political analysts said.

 

Kimmo Grönlund, a political science professor at Åbo Akademi University believes the debate does not fully address how welfare society services and transfer of funds would have to be compromised.

 

According to Grönlund, the question that matters  is how the adjustments are going be carried out and  not so much of the talk of who will make the most of the billions in adjustments.

 

The political parties saving lists have cried for replenishment in the past, and the economic outlook published on Maundy Thursday have not made things easier.

 

According to the Ministry of Finance, the national economy is in a very difficult situation and a better turn is not expected.

 

Parliament inside. File Photo Lehtikuva.

The new outlook forecast the economy to grow by 0.5 percent this year and 1.4 percent in 2016.

 

Erkka Railo, a senior researcher at the University of Turku points out that all the political parties have internalised the idea that there would be an economic growth, however, the proposed means vary from the Vasemmistoliitto’s (Left Alliance) proposal of  intense stimulus to Kansallinen Kokoomus’s (National Coalition Party) proposition of 6 billion in adjustments.

"It is difficult to adjust which measures will work and which will not, when the view of the economists differ in this way. It is from the voters’ point of view a very difficult situation," said Railo.

 

The parties have also raced promising to create new jobs, but their ability to influence the number of jobs is limited.

 

According to Grönlund, it is very difficult to create jobs through public actions in an open market global economy.