Finland Times

The petition is signed by 129,627 people in a period spanning over two weeks. It demands a review of the draft.

There is a fear that incorporation of Metsähallitus will endanger the country’s nature conservation and recreational use of the state-owned land and water areas.

The Agriculture and Forestry Committee pointed out last week that the corporation will be fully owned by the state. At that time, the main opposition Suomen Sosialidemokraattinen Puolue (Social Democratic Party of Finland) and the Vasemmistoliitto (Left Alliance) called for disbandment of the draft legislation.

Also the second largest opposition party in parliament, Vihreä liitto (Green League) submitted a report against the draft.

The petition was received by the chair of the ruling Suomen Keskusta (Centre Party) parliamentary group, Markus Lohi.

Parliament will vote on the matter for the first time on Friday.