SDP Chair Antti Lindtman (centre) and the entire opposition leadership at a joint press conference on the social and health services crisis in Parliament on 13 November 2025. Photo: Vesa Moilanen / Lehtikuva
- Next Article Finnish MP Timo Vornanen on trial over nightclub shooting
The opposition in Finland delivered a unified appeal to Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, urging swift cross‑party talks on the strained social and health service system.
The move came as the government confirmed plans to continue sote reform within the current term. Orpo said officials at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health are preparing a report on the situation. He said he will give a formal statement at the start of the spring session.
He said the report will be reviewed before steps are set.
He noted that the reform process will extend into the next term and that parliament will have space to debate the matter after his statement.
The pressure on the government has increased as several wellbeing regions prepare next year’s budgets. The law requires regions to cover deficits by the end of 2026. Many regions say the deadline forces large savings plans. Some leaders warn of service cuts and staffing reductions.
The crisis deepened when the Eastern Finland Administrative Court ruled that the plan in South Karelia for 2026–2028 breaks the law. In Central Finland both the chief executive and the chair of the regional board stepped down after growing tension around finances.
Opposition leaders called reporters to parliament with little notice. Antti Lindtman said the joint message itself shows the scale of concern. The appeal asks Orpo to start parliamentary cooperation to secure conditions for wellbeing regions. The signatories said they are ready to meet at once to examine the state of the regions and agree on steps to restore trust in services.
The appeal asks the government to allow all regions more time to balance finances beyond 2026. Lindtman did not name a preferred length. He said the aim is to sit down with the government before presenting any numbers.
Antti Kaikkonen said he hopes the government accepts the offer. He said some regions face a choice between breaking the constitution, which requires access to essential care, or breaking funding law, which demands deficit coverage that might lead to staffing cuts.
Leaders from all opposition parties took part: the Social Democrats, Centre, Greens, Left Alliance and Liike Nyt. Sofia Virta said the situation demands joint work. Minja Koskela said the goal is long‑term funding for services. Harry Harkimo said flaws in past funding models have shaped current gaps.
The state has launched evaluation processes in Eastern Uusimaa, Central Finland and Lapland. The Ministry of Finance appointed outside experts to propose ways to stabilise accounts and clear deficits. In Lapland the group suggested concentrating specialist care in Rovaniemi. Residents in the Kemi area protested that plan.
When an evaluation is under way, regions must avoid decisions that conflict with proposals from the expert group. They must also avoid major financial moves until accounts are back in balance. The groups aim to finish work by June 2026. If regions fail to stabilise budgets, mergers may follow in the run‑up to the 2027 election.
Opposition leaders said the law leaves regions under fixed limits that no longer match cost growth. They argue that inflation, pay rises and service demand have increased pressure. They noted that the system was never expected to function without adjustments after its launch.
HT
- Next Article Finnish MP Timo Vornanen on trial over nightclub shooting
Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
