NARROW WIN FOR RULING PARTY IN FINNISH ELECTION
Finland's ruling centrist party barely won parliamentary elections Sunday with the main opposition Conservatives making strong gains to possibly claim a spot in the next government.
Ref. https://www.cbc.ca/story/world/national/200...-elections.html
For more Information about Finnish Politics & Government please see the Finland Index.
Finnish ombudsman rejects satellite-based congestion charge -Papers
Local Finland News In English
Sanoma provincial papers on Tuesday quoted Reijo Aarnio, the Finnish data protection ombudsman, as saying that a satellite-based congestion charge scheme would breach civil rights.
A government working group's report, due to be released on Tuesday, is expected to include a tentative plan to introduce a satellite-based congestion charge scheme in the capital region.
Aarnio told the papers that the authorities did not need to know where and when people used their cars. "We have quite a bit of experience of taking a technology-led approach while ignoring civil rights," Aarnio was quoted as saying. Source: Helsinki Times
Voting intentions vary greatly across Finland
Local Finland News In English
Finnish intensions to go and vote in the April general election vary greatly across the country, according to an opinion poll commissioned by the Centre Party published on Monday. According to the poll, 65 per cent of Finns told that they definitely intended to vote. This figure varied from 79 per cent in the Helsinki election district to 53 per cent in the North Savo election district. Voting certainty is close to the election turnout of 67.9 per cent of the previous election. Men were more certain about their intentions to vote than women. Men where slightly more enthusiastic to vote than usual. Source: Helsinki Times
Parties take positions on taxes and economy
Finland News
Regardless of who wins, it is almost certain that some taxes will go up.
FINLANDS political parties are presenting voters with various alternatives to economic policy. The majority of their focus is on repairing Finlands battered budget and spurring economic growth.
The Bank of Finland projects that the nation will run a budget deficit of about 2.5 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) this year while government debt tops 50 per cent. In 2008, before the financial crisis and subsequent recession, Finland had debt of only 44 per cent and a surplus of 4 per cent of GDP.
Source: Helsinki Times
Meeting and greeting in Finland
Finland News
Handshake, hug or kiss? Helsinki Times talks to two experts on etiquette to find out.
IN JAPAN it is customary to bow. In Argentina one might expect to be greeted with a hug and kiss. In parts of France you may be given four kisses ? two on each cheek. But in Finland, the etiquette for greetings is often unclear. Some shake hands, some hug, others merely nod and say hello.
As those who watched the Independence Day Ball at the Presidential Palace in December can attest, the traditional handshake is still a failsafe way to meet and greet in a formal situation. Here were no air kisses, few bows and not a curtsey to be seen.
Source: Helsinki Times
Easter info & May Day info
Finland News
Shops. Most shops open normally on Thursday 21 April and Saturday 23 April and close for Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday. However, medium-sized grocery stores are allowed to stay open for four hours on Easter Monday. Small stores are free to decide on their opening times. The grocery stores at Helsinki Central Railway Station are open 7-22 on Thursday and Saturday and also on Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday between 10-22.
Source: Helsinki Times