Police in Helsinki are looking over the financial records of Sauli Niinistö's 2006 presidential campaign, reports the tabloid Iltalehti.
The paper quotes Inspector Markku Nisula of the Helsinki police Department as confirming that Niinistö's campaign financing is being looked at, but that at least for now, the matter has not progressed to the stage of a criminal investigation.
In 2006 funds to back Niinistö's campaign were collected by a citizens' support group, as well as by his National Coalition Party and party foundations.
A sizable sum was not accounted for, not used to fund the campaign, but rather diverted by the party into other activities.
Niinistö has said that he was surprised to find out that so much money went into party coffers during his campaign.
Police began looking into the matter after a formal request was filed for investigation into whether or not the National Coalition Party, or individuals acting in its name, committed embezzlement or some other criminal offence.
According to Niinistö, he was not aware of these activities in collecting money on his behalf. Donors believed that their contributions were going to fund Niinistö's campaign.
Inspector Nisula told Iltalehti that so far, the investigation has not turned up evidence of criminal intent. He also pointed out that all of Niinistö campaign bills were paid.
"Not all of the funding collected was needed for the campaign. What were they supposed to do with the rest?" Nisula asked.
Police will, however, continue with their investigation.
Investing in immigrants
The government is offering private companies the chance to invest in immigrant training and integration, and get dividends out of future tax revenues, writes Wednesday’s Turun Sanomat.
The State is seeking private companies and other investors to take part in a pilot project described as a "win-win" proposition in which the State will save money and investors can make a profit.
Under the three-year scheme, private funding will be used to pay for immigrant job training. The initial target is to find 2,500 jobs for immigrants in fields such as construction, the care and restaurant sectors. If successful, it will speed entry into the job market, saving the State money that would otherwise be spent on unemployment benefits while generating income tax revenues.
The money saved and earned by the State will then be paid out to investors as dividends, although there will be a cap on how much in total is paid out.
The main trade union confederation, SAK is wary of the scheme, but has not rejected it out of hand.
Not quite satisfactory
The Kuopio-based Savon Sanomat asked a group of directors of social and economic think tanks to grade the past year's performance by the present centre-right coalition government.
Using the typical school grading scale of 4 to 10 (failure to excellent) the group said that the government has earned itself a 6.5 - that is a solid "pass", but just short of "satisfactory".
In an overall assessment, the Markus Kanerva, CEO of the think-tank Tänk, told the paper that the government's work appears confused, but at least it is moving ahead. The future will tell, he says, if that movement is in the right direction.
While a lack of accomplishment in many fields was noted by all of these experts, the government did get high marks for its handling of the refugee crisis from Centrist, Conservative and Social Democratic think-tank leaders.
"Following initial confusion the influx of asylum seekers was well handled. The machinery of administration showed that it is not only a bureaucracy, but that it can react swiftly and effectively to unexpected situations," said Mikko Majander, operations director of the Kalevi Sorsa Foundation.
In contrast, Simo Grönroos, who heads the Finns Party affiliated think-tank Suomen Perusta, was highly critical of how the government handle last year's refugee situation.
"The government displayed its incompetence to handle immigration when the asylum seeker crisis began during the late summer. Prime Minister Sipilä made it worse by announcing he'd turn over his home to house asylum seekers, a move that was seen as a magnet increasing the numbers that came [to Finland]. Interior Minister Petteri Orpo has also shown that he is lacking in leadership quality in the issue," stated Grönroos.
Some of the key issues pulling down the grade given to the government included slow progress in reviving the economy and cuts in spending on education.
Tax declarations in on time
The Oulu daily Kaleva has an important reminder: today is the last day for many private individuals to file their 2015 tax declarations.
The pre-filled declarations, received by post in late March or early April, are marked for return either today, the 4th or on the 13th.
If taxpayers have no corrections to the information printed on the pre-filled forms, they do not have to be returned. Otherwise, it would be wise to check the deadline, and get them in on time.