Finnish government ends after health reform plan fails in parliament
But the move is seen as tactical, allowing Juha Sipila's Center Party a freer hand during campaigning for Finland's upcoming election
Helsinki — Finnish Prime Minister Juha Sipila stepped down just weeks before a general election after failing to push plans to overhaul health services and social care through parliament, in the face of an ageing population. The former businessperson tendered his resignation to President Sauli Niinisto, who asked him to stay on as caretaker until the April 14 vote. The decision is seen as a tactical move that will allow his Center Party a freer hand during the election campaign in Finland. “The collapse of the government is, in a way, surprising, but also understandable,” said Pasi Kuoppamaki, chief economist at Danske Bank in Helsinki. “Now the coalition partners can focus on campaigning for the elections without needing to cooperate closely. There will be no major impact on the economy.” Sipila’s decision is also an admission that the government was unable to rally enough support to push its pro-market reforms through parliament. Statistics Finland has estimated that more than a q...
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