Finnish MPs will probably have to work later into the summer than usual this year.
Plenary sessions are set to continue in the first week of July and possibly even until mid-July, Parliament announced on Wednesday.
Usually, the legislature starts its summer recess just after the Midsummer holiday, which this year falls on 21-22 June.
According to a parliamentary press release, the delay is based on the likely completion dates of urgent decisions in various committees. The legislature normally reconvenes in early September.
Alcohol law rubber-stamped
Also on Wednesday, Parliament approved a reform of the alcohol law by a vote of 102-80. The change will allow the sale of stronger alcoholic drinks in grocery shops.
A total of 102 MPs voted in favour of the alcohol law reform, while 80 voted against it. Seventeen were absent.
As expected, all five MPs from the Christian Democrats voted against their own government's bill.
The alcohol law was approved by the 25-member Grand Committee a week ago, virtually ensuring ratification in the plenary session.
The law is to allow food shops and kiosks to sell fermented alcoholic beverages with an alcohol content of up to eight percent, compared to the current 5.5 percent.
According to the news agency STT, the legislative change could be signed into law by the president as soon as this Friday, with the first stronger drinks potentially appearing on shop shelves on Monday.
Opposition parties challenge government on climate
During Wednesday's session, MPs will also consider a challenge to the government over its environmental and climate policies, co-sponsored by three opposition parties. The interpellation, initiated by the Greens, is backed by the SDP and the Left Alliance – but not the Centre or the one-man Movement Now.
The interpellation filed in mid-May notes that the government led by PM Petteri Orpo (NCP) has said it is committed to halting the loss of natural diversity by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2035 in accordance with the Climate Act.
"However, the government has repeatedly shown that it does not take the loss of nature or the climate crisis seriously," it says, adding that "Orpo's government will go down in history as the first government to consciously increase emissions."
On Friday, Parliament is to vote on confidence in the government based on the interpellation.
Last weekend, thousands marched in cities around Finland demanding urgent action on the climate and environment, and urging young Finns to vote on the issues in this Sunday's European Parliament election.
EDIT at 2.41pm to reflect the approval of changes to the alcohol law.
4.05pm: Added information about vote of confidence.
4.52pm: Added information about alcohol law taking effect.
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