Finland Times

 

The Keskusta Chief and negotiations leader, Juha Sipilä. Photo – Str / Lehtikuva.

Juha Sipilä, the chair of the largest parliamentary party Suomen Keskusta, on Thursday met with the future opposition.

 

Sipilä met with Vihreäliitto (Green League) parliamentary group chair Outi Alanko-Kahiluoto, Vasemmistoliito (Left Alliance) parliamentary group chair Aino-Kaisa Pekonen, Suomen ruotsalainenkansanpuolue (Swedish People’s Party of Finland) leader Carl Haglund, and Suomen Sosialidemokraattinen Puolue (Social Democratic Party of Finland) head Antti Lindtman.

 

Lindtman, the chair of the Social Democratic Party of Finland’s parliamentary group, said social welfare and healthcare reform, among other issues, were on the agenda of the meeting.

 

According to news agency STT, the issue regarding parliamentary follow-up of the NATO report and the opposition’s budget appropriation were also discussed.

 

According to reports, it has been decided during the government talks to start preparing both the foreign and the security policy and the defence report, said Lindtman.

 

“We hope the preparation of both reports will continue as by the parliamentary practice of the previous years and decades,” Lindtman added.

 

The opposition also wants representation in the Speaker’s Council, since traditionally the three largest parliamentary parties will form the incoming government.