Prime Minister Petteri Orpo's (NCP) government survived a confidence vote called by three opposition parties over plans to cut spending on programmes affecting young people.
The vote fell 96-76, with the majority voting for continued confidence in the coalition government. There were no abstentions, but 27 MPs were absent from the vote.
The confidence vote was called by the Social Democratic, Left Alliance and Green parties, and the topic led to heated debate in parliament on Tuesday, with more than 60 MPs requesting floor time during the session.
The main criticisms about the planned spending cuts is that they would unfairly affect young people, particularly a proposal to freeze study support levels.
Opposition MPs also said the government's plans to address the climate crisis were insufficient, and that the consequences of that will particularly affect younger generations.
Second confidence vote
On Tuesday, PM Orpo defended the government's plans, saying that Finland's state debt was ruining the futures of children and young people.
"I want to tell young people that we have made these decisions so you will have the ability to build up a good life," he said, noting that the government was investing in education.
SDP MP Nasima Razmyar, who submitted the interpellation, responded to Orpo by saying the government "is crushing young people's dreams for the future," and characterised the administration's planned investments in youths as cosmetic.
While the opposition Centre Party was not part of the interpellation, Centre MP Olga Oinas-Panuma said the government should not receive the confidence of parliament.
"The government is running down local services that young people need and it has not done enough to promote the wellbeing of young people, on a regional basis," she said.
This was the second interpellation and confidence vote that Orpo's government has faced since taking office at the end of June.
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