Wed, 20 Aug, 2014 12:06:37 AM
No new cuts on education, research, innovation
FTimes-STT Report, August 20
Chairman of the Conservative Party, Prime Minister Alexander Stubb at the parliamentary group meeting of the party in Vantaa, on Tuesday. Photo- Lehtikuva.
Prime Minister Alexander Stubb on Tuesday said his government’s overall policy is focused on austerity, not on stimulating the economy.
The premier’s remarks came at a Kansallinen Kokoomus (National Coalition Party) parliamentary group meeting in Vantaa.
He said parliament’s budget session will deal with minor issues, as major ones have already been agreed on.
“Our role in this government is not to stimulate but to tighten and balance the nation’s economy,” said Stubb.
The prime minister, however, does not accept new cuts on education, research and innovation, although the budget draft proposes new cuts in these areas.
He said it has already been agreed during negotiations that some of the new cuts will be removed from the budget proposal.
The previous government led by Katainen and the present government agreed on a 7-billion-euro tax increment and spending cuts to be implemented up to 2019.
The greatest task awaiting this government is the restructuring package and it intends to discuss it before the budget session.
Stubb said the major issues include municipality reforms aimed at reducing the tasks of municipalities, social welfare and health care, pension reform and structural reduction of unemployment.
