Voter approval for the opposition Left Alliance has surged to its highest level in 15 years, according to a report by Helsingin Sanomat. Minja Koskela, who has spearheaded the Left Alliance since 2024, has successfully kept the party’s support above nine percent for an entire year—a remarkable feat in the ever-shifting landscape of Finnish politics. In contrast, support for the ruling National Coalition Party (NCP) has dipped below 18 percent, marking its weakest performance during Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s administration. This decline aligns with the latest voter sentiment survey, which reveals that if a parliamentary election were held today, the…
Author: Finland Review
Mikael Granlund Addresses Concerns Surrounding the Lions In a candid moment, Mikael Granlund addressed the ongoing chatter about the performance of the Lions, Finland’s ice hockey team, which is seeking Olympic glory. On a promising note, the team trained at full capacity on Tuesday. Earlier in the week, there was some unease regarding the health of the squad, particularly after standout player Anton Lundell missed Monday’s match against Italy. Granlund made a noticeable impression during that practice, stepping up in Lundell’s absence. “Everything is fine now,” Granlund reassured. “I had a bit of soreness yesterday that kept me from training,…
In a telling reflection of its financial struggles, a once-thriving pizza chain that has recently declared bankruptcy revealed that it faced significant challenges in relinquishing a third of its business operations. The company, whose name was synonymous with late-night cravings and family gatherings, found itself grappling with the harsh reality of a shrinking market share and mounting debt. As it navigated the turbulent waters of financial strain, the decision to cut back proved to be more difficult than anticipated. This heart-wrenching acknowledgment underscores the broader issues facing not only this chain but the industry as a whole, as consumer preferences…
By Timo Kunnari, Journalist Today at 13:53 Despite the disappointing performances at the Olympic Games, Finnish sports enthusiasts can look forward to thrilling moments ahead, thanks to the talents of Eduard Hallberg and Elian Lehto. Eduard Hallberg faced significant setbacks during the Olympics, failing to make his mark in both the giant slalom and slalom events. Fortunately, the 22-year-old alpine skier from Sipo did contribute in the team competition, where he and his teammate Elian Lehto from Rovaniemi secured a ninth-place finish in the combined team alpine event. The slalom race in Bormio was marred by poor conditions, casting a…
Finnish Foreign Minister Reiterates Support for Two-State Solution Amid Ongoing Tensions In a significant diplomatic outreach, Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen reaffirmed her country’s commitment to fostering stability in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Her remarks came after a meeting with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar in Jerusalem, where the two discussed various aspects of their nations’ long-standing relationship, deeply rooted in decades of exchanges spanning from top officials to everyday citizens. In a post shared on social media platform X, Valtonen articulated, “We engaged in a productive dialogue about our bilateral relations, as well as pressing issues…
Alisa Vainio Sets New Finnish Record at Seville Marathon Alisa Vainio made headlines this past Sunday at the Seville Marathon, where she shattered her previous Finnish record with an impressive finish of 2:20:39. This new time reflects a remarkable nine-second improvement over the record she established just a few months ago in December. Not only did Vainio claim the title of champion in the women’s marathon, but she also walked away with a significant prize of €15,000 for her efforts. Meanwhile, Nathalie Blomqvist also made waves on the same day, setting a new Finnish record of her own at the…
Embracing the Winter Break: A Finnish Tradition As the days grow shorter and the snow blankets the landscape, the anticipation of Finland’s winter break—a cherished skiing holiday—mounts. Established in the 1930s, this week-long recess was designed to punctuate the lengthy spring semester and foster a love for winter sports among children, particularly skiing. For many families, the ski holiday, known as “ski holiday” in Finnish, serves as an opportunity to escape to the slopes, indulge in winter sports, or simply enjoy the great outdoors. This year, schools in southern Finland will enjoy their break from February 16 to 20, while…
Rain Alters Competition Landscape for Women’s Relay in Val di Fiemme As clouds loom over Val di Fiemme, the weather forecast predicts a rainy day ahead—an unexpected twist for the women’s relay event taking place today at the Tesero ski stadium. Unlike previous days of competition, when athletes battled the elements with relative ease, this change may significantly impact strategy and performance. Upon visiting the course early Saturday morning, it was evident that preparations were underway. The artificial snow, already soft and pliable, drew immediate attention. Though rain had not yet begun to fall, the air chilled to a brisk…
A survey conducted last year revealed an intriguing aspect of social life in Finland: the average Finn has about four close friends and a total of eleven friends overall. As Valentine’s Day approaches, it’s fascinating to observe how Finland stands apart from many countries, where the day is often synonymous with romance. Since 1987, Valentine’s Day—known in Finnish as Ystävänpäivä or “Friend’s Day”—is celebrated as a tribute to friendship and community connections. On February 14, many Finns take the opportunity to exchange heartfelt messages and even gifts with their close friends, reinforcing bonds that transcend traditional romantic notions. Recently, social…
While the once-reliable tradition of sending letters through the mail is waning, the national postal service is experiencing an uptick in parcel deliveries. In its latest report, Posti, Finland’s national mail company, announced a notable increase in profitability during the latter part of last year, despite a decline in overall turnover. Specifically, the company’s adjusted earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) rose to 30 million euros in the fourth quarter, a marked improvement from nearly 22 million euros during the same quarter in 2022. However, this success came amid a 3.3 percent drop in turnover for the final quarter, totaling…