Ilta-Sanomat predicts that the new government headed by Petteri Orpo (NCP) will face its first real test in the autumn when the labour union movement pressures it to change some of the policies written into its programme.
The paper points out that Finland has made a leap to the right. The combination of the National Coalition Party, Finns Party, Swedish People's Party and Christian Democrats corresponds in practice to the results of the parliamentary elections. Voters got what they ordered, says Ilta-Sanomat.
This does not change the fact that the government still has a rocky road ahead, the paper points out.
The government programme contains so many sore points that the labour movement and the political left are sure to push back.
Ilta-Sanomat expects to see demonstrations once politics get back into full swing following the summer months. Proposed cuts in earnings-related unemployment benefits and the weakening of dismissal protections will be like throwing petrol on a fire.
This new government is starting out in a situation where its unity and ability to function will be constantly in doubt. The biggest doubt is whether the parliamentary group of the Finns Party can handle government responsibility if painful decisions start affecting the nationalist party's support, writes Ilta-Sanomat.
Rail ticket pricing
Looking at the latest fare adjustments by Finland's state railways VR, the farmers' union daily Maaseudun Tulevaisuus tells readers that for those who travel regularly by train a lot, VR's new ticket price policy is not a problem, because they know how to buy well in advance.
For those who want to take a train on the spur of the moment, the high price of a ticket may be a good reason to travel by car or even by plane.
Following Midsummer, there will be a lot happening in Finland, with summer events all over the country, from large festivals to small village markets, summer theatre and sports competitions.
As the paper notes, many people plan their summer holidays in advance, but not everyone can or wants to do so. For such casual travelers, VR prices may now come as a surprise.
VR recently changed its pricing structure to one much more like that used by airlines, where the prices of tickets depend on when the ticket is purchased.
There are now 25 price categories in the system introduced by VR in April. Under this so-called dynamic pricing system, the ticket cost difference for the same train journey may vary more than tenfold. Prices are set by artificial intelligence, based on when the ticket is purchased and how full the train is, or a projection of the number of passengers expected, for example, in connection with large festivals.
Prices may vary even during the same day. The price of a ticket can be shockingly expensive, MT points out.
On the other hand, the ticket price can come as a positive surprise. Bought well in advance, or for travel at less busy times, train travel is now even cheaper than before. As an example, Maaseudun Tulevaisuus notes that the most expensive direct train journey from Helsinki to Rovaniemi in Finnish Lapland costs 130.80 euros while the cheapest is just 17.90.
The paper reports that VR's director of long-distance transport, Piia Tyynilä, has said that the company's primary goal is not to increase profits, but to increase the popularity of train travel. Her view is that this can be achieved by trying to direct demand toward less crowded departures where ticket prices are cheaper. VR hopes to get larger numbers of price-conscious passengers on board.
Housing prices steady
Helsingin Sanomat is among the morning papers reporting that the real estate sector does not expect major changes in the prices of flats for the next quarter of this year.
The average price per square metre of apartment buildings will fall by perhaps another 2–3 percent, or remain at the same level during the summer holiday season, according to estimates by real estate sector organisation SKVL.
However, an increase in prices can be expected in the most sought-after family flats where housing associations' maintenance costs have remained in check.
The summer cottage market has settled back to to the pre-coronavirus level and prices of holiday homes are not rising either.
Demand for rental flats is forecast to increase as usual towards the end of the summer, with students starting courses and more people moving to start new jobs following the hoiday season.
SKVL says that in addition to location, the condition and furnishings of rental flats are of particular importance at the moment. Larger family flats, especially, are in high demand.
Sun, rain and thunder at Midsummer
The weather continues mostly dry and hot on Wednesday, but with showers and the chance of thundershowers in the central and northern parts of the country.
A forecast in Iltalehti says that daytime temperatures will vary between 25 and 30 degrees Celsius in the south, and to 20 to 25 degrees in Lapland.
High temperatures are though receding as we approach the Midsummer weekend.
The paper points to a forecast by Foreca meteorologist Joanna Rinne saying that the weather at the end of the week will be cooler than now, but daytime temperatures will still be 20-25 degrees in sunny areas.
On Midsummer's Eve and Midsummer's Day (Friday and Saturday), some areas are likely to have rain, but large parts of the country will still be sunny and dry.
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