In Finland, there is an almost brutally realistic Minister of Finance, Riikka Purra (Finns Party), who has taken on the task of cutting state expenditures to align with revenues. She has faced opposition, particularly from the left side of the political spectrum, and the press has heavily targeted her and her party. However, this has not led to any shift in the government’s political direction.
In a recent interview, Minister Purra also characterized Russia and Putin’s regime. True to her straightforward style, she did so in no uncertain terms.
According to her, “It’s probably quite clear what everyone thinks about Putin. He is a war criminal, an aggressive imperialist.”
She described the recent events of the war in Ukraine by saying, “Even the most recent images and videos of Russia’s massive attacks, not only on cities but also on energy facilities, are utterly horrifying. Of course, we hope that peace can be achieved as soon as possible, but in this case, it’s not that simple because peace must also be acceptable.”
She also stated that “especially in this situation, stronger preparedness and investment in defense are essential.” And therefore, “since there is no money lying around unused anywhere, there are essentially two options: take on more debt or prioritize — that is, elevate defense and security above some other area of policy. I support this prioritization.”
It is to be hoped that, by the end of this government’s term, Riikka Purra and the rest of the Finnish government will receive gratitude from the public for their steadfast actions. And that after the 2027 elections, they will be able to form a new government that takes care of both the country’s security and — as the national economy stabilizes thanks to the current government’s efforts — leads Finland into sustainable economic growth for the first time since 2008.
Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Finland’s Minister of Finance Believes Not All Cultures Are Equally Good
Will Orpo's Government Restore Finland to Sustainable Economic Growth?
Balancing the Books
Hope is not a strategy. I'm afraid that we are not able to change the downward trend. Even how humbling it is, the IMF will come to set the rules for us.
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