Summary:
Vice-Chair of the Finnish Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, MP Pertti Salolainen criticises suggestions about holding an EU referendum in Finland as irresponsible and petty party politics. This talk is contrary to Finland’s national interests and hurts Finland’s image internationally, he says. Membership in the EU has been and is important for Finland both economically and in terms of security policy. Finland must be one of those countries that strengthen the EU’s unity, security, and internal markets, Mr Salolainen maintains.

Media:  Verkkouutiset / Nykypäivä
Date: 13.3.2017
Journalist: Siina Ekberg
Main source: MP Pertti Salolainen, Vice-Chair of the Finnish Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee

Summary:
The European Parliament’s environment committee is currently discussing a Commission proposal that would punish Finland for excess logging if it reduces the carbon sink of forests. Rapporteur, MEP Norbert Lins (EPP) suggests that the comparison years should be 2000-2012 while MEP Nils Torvalds (ALDE) has proposed that the comparison should be based on a continuing average of three years. MEP Miapetra Kumpula-Natri (S&D) notes that the Parliament’s committees have differing views on the matter. Some understand the Finnish use of wood well while others would reduce it even more than the Commission.

Summary:
MP Sampo Terho, Chair of the Finns Party’s parliamentary group, has announced he will run for the chairmanship of the party, reports Helsingin Sanomat. Mr Terho’s positions on the EU are stark. He says he is open to the possibility that the party will demand an EU referendum in Finland. Mr Terho noted that the issue may even be a deal-breaker. He explained that there is a generation of Finns who were not eligible to vote on Finland’s EU membership in 1994. Mr Terho said he will also focus on the unfair implementation of the EU’s internal relocation of immigrants.