Finns Party to submit no confidence motion over fuel, electricity prices

Finns Party chair Riikka Purra says rising prices are significantly weakening the purchasing power of low and middle-income earners.

The opposition Finns Party has announced it will file an interpellation, the first move towards a vote of no confidence in the government of Prime Minister Sanna Marin (SDP), over the issue of fuel and electricity prices and what it views as the government’s inability to react to the situation.

According to Finns Party chair Riikka Purra, rising prices are impacting the costs of transport and housing and will significantly weaken the purchasing power of low and middle-income earners.

“Worry and wonder is not enough anymore. Citizens need a vision of how the situation will be alleviated,” Purra stated in a tweet in Finnish.

The Finns Party leader further condemned a recent statement by Minister of Finance Annika Saarikko (Cen) during parliamentary question time who said that those struggling with high electricity bills can turn to social services for help.

According to Purra, the Finns Party considers that reply to be arrogant.

“We demand national measures to reduce fuel and electricity prices, such as tax cuts. The government is spreading its hands, blaming world market prices, and claiming they can do nothing about it. This is not true,” Purra said in a party press release.

Purra argues that the government’s climate policy is exacerbating the situation.

“The government must back away from a carbon neutrality target that is stricter than in other countries. Finns cannot be oppressed by the climate from two directions, both by overblown national measures, and by agreeing to everything that the EU dares to propose,” she continued.

The other main opposition party, the National Coalition, is also reported to be considering backing the Finns Party’s interpellation. Movement Now indicated on Monday that they will join the interpellation, according to a report by Centre Party newspaper Suomenmaa.

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