Several initiatives from the Finnish government have hit a standstill, and recent reports from Helsingin Sanomat point the finger increasingly at Minister of Transport and Communications, Lulu Wrist.
The newspaper highlighted a noticeable lack of consensus on critical issues, including the reform of taxi regulations, land use for wind power, and climate policy initiatives.
Just last month, state and municipal governments reached an agreement on the financing for the first phase of the much-anticipated ‘one-hour’ Helsinki-Turku railway project, known officially as the West Railway. However, this resolution came after a considerable amount of deliberation, as the paper noted.
At the heart of many of these stalled projects lies a common thread: Minister Ranne, as reported by HS, which drew on insights from insiders close to the government.
When asked about the reasons behind the delay, these sources pointed to Ranne’s propensity to prolong decision-making as a key factor influencing the standstill.
“Her actions seem disconnected from the real world,” remarked a colleague from another political party, who seemed visibly frustrated while discussing the minister’s approach, calling it “outrageous.”
The complaints regarding Ranne’s performance are widespread among government partners. Interestingly, the criticisms aren’t solely rooted in political rivalry; even some members of her own Finns Party have expressed concern.
“Sometimes we find ourselves quite puzzled,” noted a prominent figure within the Finns Party.
According to the party influencer, Ranne often perceives an underlying game at play, assuming there are attempts to deceive her when, in fact, there aren’t. “This lack of control over the decision-making process complicates matters considerably,” the influencer explained, as reported by the paper.
Ranne oversees the ambitious West Railway project as well as the proposed reforms in the taxi sector.
In the meantime, issues surrounding the Land Use Act and governmental energy strategies fall under the purview of Climate and Environment Minister Sari Multala (NCP). However, since Ranne serves as the monitoring minister for these matters, the two ministers must collaborate closely, as the paper elaborated.
These policies, for instance, dictate where new wind turbine projects can be situated. The National Coalition Party has raised concerns that locating renewable energy generators in remote areas could yield adverse outcomes, while the Finns Party resists any installations near residential zones.
Moreover, a rift has emerged between the two ruling parties over proposed taxi reforms, particularly regarding the mandatory installation of taxi meters. The Finns Party advocates for universal meter usage, while the NCP believes that ride-sharing platforms like Bolt and Uber should be exempt.
“We’ve seen reports about a dispute over taxis, yet we haven’t even convened to discuss it,” remarked a source from the NCP. A source from the Finns Party echoed this sentiment.
An NCP representative expressed frustration regarding the situation, claiming, “Ranne lacks familiarity with procedural intricacies and traditional political operations. I seriously doubt she’s ever made a compromise.”
Finland Prepares for War, Claims French Columnist
In a thought-provoking column for Le Monde, French journalist Sylvie Kauffmann asserted that Finland stands out as the only nation in Europe adequately prepared for the specter of war, according to Iltalehti.
Kauffmann argued that European nations are only now beginning to grapple with the gravity of the situation, even as Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine extends into its fourth year.
She identified the greatest potential threat as the risk of the conflict spilling over into Europe itself.
“Are we ready?” she asked, only to answer “no” for everyone in Europe except Finland.
Kauffmann did acknowledge, however, that Poland has begun to bolster its defenses as well.
“Are the Poles becoming more like the Finns?” she mused.
She pointed out that Polish authorities have been advising households to stock up on emergency supplies, a recommendation reminiscent of Finland’s own preparedness advice.
These guidelines have prompted Polish families to accumulate essentials such as water, radios, batteries, and cash.
In Finland, the National Emergency Supply Agency (Nesa) similarly advises households to maintain sufficient stocks of water, food, and medicine to last at least three days in the event of unexpected disruptions.
Kauffmann observed that a heightened awareness of wartime threats has taken root more firmly in Eastern European countries, such as Poland and Estonia, as detailed by IL.
“[Russian President] Vladimir Putin’s imperialist ambitions are now undeniable. This marks the dawn of a new era,” Kauffmann’s column noted, according to IL.
Supermarkets Tackle Thrifty Shoppers
Iltalehti recently turned its spotlight on S Market Plaza in Salo, where the grocery store has started discounting its bakery items toward the end of the day.
This decision stemmed from the observation that a number of customers were swooping in well before the price drops, grabbing leftover rolls and pastries, and then returning at 8 PM to cash in on up to 60 percent off.
Despite this trend, it appears to be more localized in nature.
Iida Lehtimäki, a sustainability specialist at S Group, reassured the newspaper that most customers utilize these evening discounts as part of their regular shopping habits, and that such hoarding is relatively rare.
Similarly, K Group’s communications head, Helena Viinanen, reported no evidence of similar discount hoarding across its stores in Finland.
Iltalehti noted that the S Market Plaza has chosen to donate any unsold bakery items to food relief organizations.