Talks aimed at forming Finland's next government will focus on the divisive topics of immigration and climate policy, starting on Tuesday and lasting until at least the end of this week.
Prime Minister-designate Petteri Orpo of the National Coalition Party (NCP), which is leading the talks as the winner of last month's election, told reporters on Tuesday morning that there is a desire among the four negotiating parties to discuss these issues.
"These difficult questions will be resolved this week," Orpo said, noting that the issue of tightening humanitarian-based immigration into Finland is also on the table for discussion.
"Finland's international reputation will be maintained," he said.
With the talks now entering their fourth week, Orpo said he did not see a deal being finalised by the end of this week either.
Purra: Finns Party called for focus on immigration, climate
Finns Party leader Riikka Purra hinted to the media on Monday that efforts to tackle the more difficult issues have been prolonged by excessive expert consultations.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday morning as she arrived at the House of the Estates in Helsinki, where the government formation talks are being held, Purra said that the focus on immigration and climate policy is at the behest of her party.
Whether or not the parties can find common ground on these two issues will reveal a lot about the chances of further progress, she said.
In response to a reporter's question about whether her party will walk away from the talks if the discussions on immigration do not progress as they wish, Purra did not answer directly but noted that the situation is challenging.
"The Finns Party cannot participate in a government that does not significantly tighten immigration policy. There is a party participating in the government negotiations, the Swedish People's Party, whose stance is practically the opposite of ours," Purra said.
The Finns Party leader said last week that there would be no agreement on a programme for government without "clear changes" to Finland's immigration legislation.
Henriksson: Climate policy important too
The Swedish People's Party leader Anna-Maja Henriksson agreed that the political differences between the parties are significant.
"If you want to form a four-party government, then you have to find a programme suitable for the four parties," Henriksson stated.
In addition to immigration, there are also differences of opinion on climate issues. Henriksson said that it is important that Finland continues to move towards the 2035 carbon neutrality goal, which was set by the outgoing government — of which she and her party were part.
"If we don't do it, it will be quite expensive for Finland. Pragmatic solutions must be found for this too," she said.
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