Parliament is scheduled to resolve several matters before the summer recess.
The single biggest issue facing the legislature is the outcome of the so-called deportation law. Other major issues include a confidence vote in a government minister as well as a bilateral defence deal with the United States.
1. Deportation law hinges on SDP
The main item on the agenda is the proposed deportation law which aims to prevent people attempting to cross the eastern border from seeking asylum.
This week Parliament's Constitutional Law Committee outlined that the bill could be enacted as an emergency law, provided that regulations on legal safeguards are added.
The Greens and the Left Alliance have suggested rejecting the legislative proposal.
Legal experts have criticised the proposed law for conflicting with the Finnish constitution as well as international agreements binding Finland.
The bill needs support from the opposition, as enacting it as an emergency law requires a five-sixths majority. This means that the largest opposition party, the Social Democrats (SDP), holds a decisive role in this matter.
2. Rydman faces confidence vote
On Monday, Economic Affairs Minister Wille Rydman (Finns) will face a confidence vote.
The motion brought by three opposition parties is in connection with an article published by Helsingin Sanomat in 2022, which detailed Rydman's alleged harassment of young women.
Earlier this month, prosecutors dropped two cases against Rydman for suspected offences including aggravated defamation, aggravated dissemination of information violating personal privacy, and a breach of confidentiality, citing insufficient evidence.
3. US defence deal
While Finland and the United States signed a bilateral Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA) in Washington DC last December, parliament needs to officially approve the deal.
The agreement opens up 15 military sites for possible use by US forces. The military areas will also include facilities only accessible to the United States. The deal also involves the deployment of US defence equipment in Finland.
Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee is currently preparing a report on the agreement, after which the matter will proceed to a vote.
To pass, DCA laws will require support from the opposition, and the Left Alliance has not pledged unconditional support for the agreement. Although the text of the agreement is clear, its interpretation in Finland will ultimately determine the party's position.
MPs are set to return to work after their recess in September.
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