On Wednesday, March 13, Prime Minister of Finland, Petteri Orpo, delivered an address to the European Parliament highlighting the EU’s key priorities. In his speech, Mr Orpo emphasised three main focus areas for the coming years.
Firstly, he spoke about the importance of strategic competitiveness, stating that Europe needs to boost its productivity to compete with other global markets. To achieve this, the EU needs to strengthen its internal market, invest in innovation and skills, and use its budget better. He also emphasised the need for new trade deals.
Secondly, the Finnish PM stressed the importance of security. He urged ramping up the defence industry so that the EU and NATO can complement each other in defending the EU’s external borders against Russian hybrid attacks. Mr Orpo said the economic vitality of border regions is also crucial from a security perspective.
Thirdly, the Prime Minister raised the issue of the clean transition as another key priority. He suggested leveraging the bioeconomy and circular economy to tackle climate change and phase out fossil fuels while creating jobs. Mr Orpo argued that climate goals should be achieved with more innovation rather than regulation.
Finally, Mr Orpo underscored the strategic necessity of supporting Ukraine for Europe. He urged Europeans to pool their resources to help Ukraine by accelerating ammunition production immediately, allocating additional funding to the European Peace Facility, and extending the European Investment Bank’s (EIB) capabilities beyond dual-use projects. Although Russia has shifted to a war economy, it is not invincible, and its military capabilities are limited.
MEPs praise Orpo’s coalition government.
The Orpo Cabinet was established after the Finnish parliamentary elections in 2023, succeeding the Marin Cabinet led by the Social Democrats. The cabinet is a coalition between the National Coalition Party (NCP, Kokoomus, a member of the European People’s Party), the far-right Finns Party (a member of the European Conservatives and Reformists Group), the Swedish People’s Party (a member of the Renew Europe Group), and the Christian Democrats (KD, also in European People’s Party).
During their interventions after Prime Minister Orpo’s speech, several MEPs praised Finland’s leadership in climate and digital policy and gender equality. They also welcomed the country’s accession to NATO and urged the EU to rise to the challenges related to external diplomacy and defence.
“Finland’s accession to NATO was a historic step for Europe’s security,” says the EPP Group’s Chairman, Manfred Weber MEP. “Thanks to the leadership of Petteri Orpo, Finland will play crucial role as Europe needs to invest heavily in its own defence.”
ECR Co-President Nicola Procaccini described the Finnish centre-right coalition as a working and constructive model for Europe. Procaccini said that the endless and tiresome warnings from the European left, including the Greens, Socialists and the Renew Group, about the Finns Party’s participation in government had all been proved wrong. He praised Orpo for withstanding the pressure and demonstrating tangible results for the good of his country and Europe.
“You have a firm and pragmatic approach to immigration and together you made the historic decision to join NATO, strengthening our common security on one of the most difficult borders of our continent and our freedom,” Procaccini said.
Critics for forming a government with the far-right
Other MEPs criticised the Finnish centre-right government’s choice of forming a coalition with the far right at home, stressing the dangers this could pose for Europe. Some MEPs criticised the Finnish PM for policies that undermined the Finnish labour market and social and worker protection.
S&D Group leader Iratxe García strongly criticised the reforms carried out by the Finnish government. García expressed her deep concern in her speech as these reforms promote dismissals, undermine social dialogue and restrict the right to strike. Also, the Finnish conservative government aims to reduce public spending on pensions, unemployment benefits, housing and parental allowances.
In addition, the S&D leader asked Orpo if he is proud of “governing with a minister who, according to Politico, declared himself a Nazi, or having a minister who poses with scissors expressing satisfaction at cutting people’s income and social security.”
“Finland is another example of the regression and the decline represented by the alliance between the European People’s Party and the far-right. Mr Orpo, your alliance with the far-right is a real threat to our democracy and to the European project. This is why the future of the European Union is at stake,” Iratxe García said.
“Mr. Orpo, Mr. Weber, put an end to your alliance with those who want to destroy Europe. Your only enemy is the far-right. In the last century, your political family made a mistake by opening the door to the far-right, and Europe and the world paid a high price. Now, let’s say no to the darkness and yes to more years of hope and progress,” the S&D Group leader added.
