Newspaper Karjalainen features an Uutissuomalainen news group interview with Chancellor of Justice Tuomas Pöysti, who said that he expects the government to be prepared, if necessary, to reopen the country's eastern border earlier than planned.
On Tuesday, the government decided to close the entire eastern border for two weeks starting midnight on Wednesday in order to stop entry by undocumented migrants. The decision does not, however, apply to rail freight traffic via the Vainikkala crossing.
"The government has an obligation to monitor the situation at all times. If it turns out that the threat is lessening, the government must take measures to cancel or mitigate the decision even before the two-week deadline expires," Pöysti told the news group.
If the government wants to extend the closure of the entire eastern border after two weeks, the Chancellor of Justice will assess whether this would be justified.
According to Pöysti, both Finnish and EU immigration legislation needs to be reformed. The current legislation does not take into account situations like the hybrid operation recently seen on Finland's eastern border.
Pöysti added that he hopes that preparations for the introduction of revised border procedures and accelerated processing of asylum applications will move ahead quickly.
"Regardless of the situation at the eastern border is prolonged, or if it eases, the risk of this kind of instrumentalisation of international protection is high, so there is a need to make procedures more effective," he said.
"We must be able to ensure that those who really need international protection could be separated out and given protection. And such persons who are not in danger of being persecuted in our neighbouring country could be quickly returned, or they could be denied entry," Pöysti stated.
The Chancellor of Justice pointed out that EU regulations were drawn up at a time when the world situation was much more optimistic. EU legislation is not sufficiently prepared, he said, for situations in which a state uses people and their desire for a better life as a tool for aggressive hybrid influence.
"If asylum processes are driven into chaos by other motives, then the central idea of refugee agreements is watered down," Pöysti summed up.
In an earlier article, Karjalainen reported that the final border crossing to be closed, Raja-Jooseppi in Inari, was quiet on Wednesday, with no new asylum seekers by the time the gates were shut.
The border post will continue to be staffed and the Finnish Red Cross has announced it is ready to provide assistance at the border if needed.
Health sector retirements
Savon Sanomat is among the morning papers reporting figures from the occupational pension insurer Keva showing that one in three employees of Finland's welfare counties, which provide public healthcare services, will retire within the next decade.
In relative terms, the largest number of retirees will be seen in the regions of Lapland, Kainuu and South Savo, where about 35 percent of current staff will be transitioning to old-age or disability pensions during the years 2024–2033.
At just under 30 percent, projected retirement levels are lower than average in Vantaa and Kerava, Central Ostrobothnia and in Helsinki.
Numerically, the largest number of retirees are community nurses and ward nurses in welfare areas. In relative terms, the largest number of retirees over the next 10 years will be home service workers, reception personnel, healthcare centre nurses and mental health nurses.
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13 detained at university demo
Thirteen demonstrators were detained by police Wednesday evening at a pro-Palestinian demonstration at the University of Helsinki, reports Iltalehti.
According to the police, a peaceful demonstration started at the university's main building at 3 pm. Notice of the demonstration was not given to the police before it started.
University authorities, who wanted to close the building at 8 pm, requested police assistance to clear the facility. A number of protesters moved to the university's nearby Porthania building to continue the demonstration. University officials also asked for police help in clearing that building.
Some of the protesters refused an order to leave and were carried out by police. Those detained may face charges of resisting the police and obstructing police in the execution of their duties.
Looking good for a white Christmas
Ilta-Sanomat tells readers that Finland may well see a white Christmas – at least most of the country.
Citing the Finnish Meteorological Institute, the paper announced that Tuesday was the first day that snow was officially registered at all of its weather stations nationwide.
This is unusual. The only earlier observation of snow cover at all measuring stations was on 25 November in 2010.
According to FMI meteorologist Jani Parviainen, with more cold temperatures in the forecast for December, the snow is not going anywhere anytime soon.
Current forecasts do, however, show a change in the weather during Christmas week may bring milder temperatures to the southern coast. According to Parviainen, central parts of the country and Lapland are better set to see a white Christmas than southern areas.
But those living in the south should not lose hope yet, writes Ilta-Sanomat - it all depends on how much snow will fall over the next few weeks.
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