Gov't & Minister Survive Confidence Votes

As was widely expected, both the gov't of PM Petteri Orpo and Minister of Social Affairs and Health Kaisa Juuso have survived votes of no confidence in the Finnish Parliament. The confidence votes relate to proposals to reformhealthcare, which has led to criticism from opponents and some healthcare professionals. The confidence motion against Juuso, from the right-wing populist Finns Party (PS), accused the minister of incompetence after she claimed the cuts to healthcare spending came as a 'surprise'.

• In the event the gov't and Juuso comfortably crossedthe majority threshold, with margins of 86-69 and 85-69 in favour of the gov't and minister respectively.
• This does not mark the end of a series of confidence votes, with the opposition Centre Party and 'Movement Now' submitting an interpellation question to parliament that will see a debate among members followed by a confidence vote. The parties oppose the latest fiscal adjustment package from the gov't, arguing that spending cuts need to be met with investment in order to support economic growth.
• These votes are common in Finnish parliamentary procedure, and given the gov'ts comfortable majority at present are unlikely to cause any notable political instability or alter policy continuity.