Finland’s government has delayed the start of formal budget negotiations after a row erupted over remarks made by senior members of the Finns Party. Prime Minister Petteri Orpo appeared alone at the opening press conference, stating that no fiscal agreements would be reached before coalition leaders addressed issues of language and conduct within the government. The unusual move signalled a deepening divide inside the four-party coalition, which gathered in Helsinki’s Smolna state residen...| Helsinki Times
Support for Finland’s Social Democratic Party (SDP) has climbed to 25.8%, the highest level recorded in two decades, according to Yle’s latest monthly poll. The figures, gathered by Taloustutkimus between 11 August and 2 September, show a 1.1 percentage point rise for the opposition party compared to the previous month. SDP, led by Antti Lindtman, now holds a lead of over six percentage points ahead of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo's National Coalition Party (Kokoomus), which remains steady...| Helsinki Times