Finns Party lawmakers rage over government grant dispute, coalition tensions flare

A fierce dispute over government grants for social and health organizations has left many Finns Party lawmakers furious, highlighting deep rifts within the ruling coalition. The conflict centers on criteria for distributing funds to social and health organizations, a matter that was moved from the purview of Social Affairs and Health Minister Wille Rydman (Finns Party) to the chief of staff under Prime Minister Petteri Orpo (National Coalition).

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This was a day of honor, because Rydman fought very honorably. But at the same time, this was also a day of shame and a hot record of Finnish corruption.

The Finns Party had insisted that Rydman should retain control over the grant criteria. The controversy escalated when Rydman proposed new rules that would exclude organizations focused on societal influence or advisory work, as well as those primarily serving "one specific non-health-related background or identity group," such as the LGBTQ+ rights organization Seta. This move would also affect central and umbrella organizations, along with wealthier social and health service providers.

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We wanted to save the little money for people who walk demented people for a pittance. The National Coalition and the Swedish People's Party are forcing that money to umbrella organizations and organization leaders who earn better than MPs.

Finns Party MP Teemu Keskisarja expressed extreme anger, calling the day "a day of honor" for Rydman's fight but also "a day of shame and a hot record of Finnish corruption." He accused the National Coalition and the Swedish People's Party of redirecting funds to umbrella organizations and well-paid executives instead of people needing modest financial support for caregiving. Keskisarja was particularly incensed by the Christian Democrats, who he claimed sided with the National Coalition and Swedish People's Party, enabling funding for "Seta's rainbow-industrialism" in exchange for support for their own Christian organizations.

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With their own behavior, they enabled the funding of Seta's rainbow-industrialism. Apparently, so that they get some money for their own Christian organizations.

Other Finns Party MPs also voiced their discontent. Juha Mäenpää, also on sick leave, suggested the Swedish People's Party should consider leaving the government. Miko Bergbom criticized the Swedish People's Party's abstention on the confidence vote for Rydman as "shameful" and a blow to Prime Minister Orpo's standing. The parliamentary session's end, according to Keskisarja, came at a crucial time for the coalition's future, as he felt his "measure is full" of "grotesque charades."

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My measure is full, grotesque charades.