Petteri Orpo's (NCP) government has put many wellbeing services counties in Finland in a difficult position, forcing them to break the law, reports tabloid Ilta-Sanomat
The government requires Finland's well-being services counties to cover a nearly 1.4-billion-euro-deficit by the end of 2026.
Sally Leskinen, head of the South Karelia welfare region, told IS that the region's 128-million-euro deficit can't be solved in two years without violating the constitution, which guarantees sufficient social and healthcare services for all citizens.
Leskinen said that the savings target would, among other things, require laying off 40 percent of the staff and massive cuts in housing services.
The welfare region has filed a complaint with the Parliamentary Ombudsman for guidance on how to resolve the deadlock. The Satakunta wellbeing services county has also joined the complaint, and Leskinen pointed out that other welfare regions are facing the same issue.
On Tuesday, IS asked PM Orpo at an EU seminar what would happen if many welfare regions couldn't cover their deficits by the deadline.
Orpo stated that some welfare regions are on track to achieve a surplus by the end of the year, indicating that actions taken by the regions and the government's measures are beginning to show results.
"Then there are regions where there is still a lot to be done to meet the goals. With these regions, we are having intensified discussions with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, and we are trying to find solutions to balance the finances," Orpo said.
IS reviewed the 2025 budgets for 21 welfare regions. Most regions admit they can't cover deficits on time without extra funding. Only five heads believe their regions might just manage to clear debts by the end of 2026, but with significant risks.
Korkeasaari's sole male lion dies
Helsinki's Korkeasaari Zoo announced that a 12-year-old male Asiatic lion, Szimba, had to be put down due to health issues. As the zoo's only male lion, his passing marks a significant loss, reports tabloid Iltalehti.
Szimba arrived at the zoo only a year ago in January 2024 on the recommendation of the species coordinator. The zoo hoped that the elderly male would contribute to the zoo's breeding program, which is crucial for the conservation of the species.
Asiatic lions are endangered, with only about 600 individuals remaining in the wild. The small population is vulnerable to natural disasters. The species has also faced difficulties in zoos, with only a few cubs born in recent years in conservation programs.
Before Szimba moved to Korkeasaari, he underwent a thorough health check. Despite having had some intestinal issues, the elderly lion's reproductive health was found to be good. However, by the end of the year, the male's condition worsened despite treatment.
Currently, there are three female Asiatic lions in the zoo.
Year of the cucumber
Maaseudun Tulevaisuus reports that in times of growing polarisation, one thing unites all Finns — the humble cucumber.
According to the Finnish Glasshouse Growers' Association, up to 50 million kilos of cucumbers are grown in Finland annually, with 30 percent of Finns naming it their favourite vegetable.
The association also noted that Finns consume about 56 million kilos of greenhouse cucumbers and 11 million kilos of cucumbers grown outdoors annually. On average, each Finn eats around 12 kilos of cucumber a year, which comes to around 35 cucumbers.
According to MT, grocery chains also report that cucumber is one of the most commonly selected items in shopping baskets.
The Domestic Vegetables Association (Kotimaiset Kasvikset in Finnish) has declared 2025 as a year to celebrate cucumbers, awarding it the title of 'Produce item of the year'.
The paper reports that cucumber gained even more popularity last autumn, when a cucumber salad recipe went viral on social media.
The recipe involved combining chopped cucumbers with soy sauce, sesame oil, onion, sesame seeds, and chili oil, then shaking it all together in a sealed jar.
The original video by Canadian Logan Moffitt has already racked up over 43 million views on TikTok, with many variations of the recipe circulating at the moment.
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