Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s New Year’s message, 31 December 2024
Fellow citizens, The last few days of the year have brought our security into focus. We all went off to celebrate Christmas, each in our own way. But even during the holidays, Finland kept an eye out for trouble.
The authorities showed this to be true on Christmas Day. Once we became aware of the damaged cable in the Baltic Sea, Finland acted immediately. The goal was to prevent further damage and to get the investigation quickly under way.
Cooperation between the Finnish authorities and other actors was excellent, and the vessel that dragged its anchor was brought into Finland’s territorial waters for investigation.
Smooth cooperation between different authorities is a key strength of Finnish society. We showed the world that Finland will react immediately to potential interference and sabotage. The power supply to Finnish households was not affected. Thanks to the vigilance and action of the authorities, people could go on celebrating Christmas peacefully in their homes.
We kept our European neighbours, the EU and NATO continuously informed of what was happening in the Baltic Sea. Europe could be sure that Finland would act. That we could be trusted. We had support and, once again, we were not alone.
The incident in the Baltic Sea reminded us of the importance of security. When we are prepared, we have no reason for fear. As always, we look after the security of Finland and the Finnish people, both nationally and together with our partners and allies.
Russia continues to wage its war against Europe in many ways: by sowing death on the front, by attacking civilian targets in Ukrainian cities and spreading disinformation elsewhere, by conducting hybrid attacks and sabotage, and by instrumentalising migration to Europe’s borders.
Discussions around peace talks in Ukraine have ramped up since the presidential elections in the United States. But peace can only be achieved on terms that Ukraine can accept. Peace cannot be achieved by going over Europe’s head, and Putin cannot walk out of the negotiations as a winner.
Europe must take greater responsibility for its security and defence. Not because the future President of the United States, Donald Trump, says so, but because it is in Europe’s interests.
Before Christmas, I met with the prime ministers of Italy, Greece and Sweden and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, in Saariselkä. It is important that the EU Member States in the north and the south understand each other’s situations, and that the EU’s support for Ukraine remains strong.
We also discussed the situation in the Middle East. The people of Gaza are facing a catastrophic situation and need help.
For many people, the new year is also a turning point.
On the last days of December, we often reflect on the year gone by. At the same time, our eyes and minds are set squarely on the future.
Over the past year, the Government has worked hard to put Finland’s economy back on a sustainable track. We have renewed the labour market, we have reformed unemployment security to provide more incentives for work, and we have worked to make Finland an attractive destination for investments where businesses can grow and where we produce what is needed to bring about a clean transition. So far, the Government’s decisions are expected to create almost 90,000 new jobs.
We have yet to receive a boost from other parts of the world. We have long awaited a turn for the better. Over the past year, we have seen the sluggish rebound of European industry.
The Government has stepped in to compensate for the lack of export revenue. If we look at the construction sector, nearly all housing has been built with support from the state. Tax policy has eased taxation on both labour and fuels. Several road and rail projects have begun in various parts of Finland. Given the level of debt in public finances, we have done what we can.
Despite this, too many people have lost their jobs.
This coming spring, the Government will focus especially on improving employment.
What does the coming year have in store?
I want to be hopeful about that. The new economic forecasts look promising. Barring any new unpleasant surprises, the most difficult times should now be behind us. Our economy has already taken a slight upward turn. The rise in prices has begun to subside, making life easier for households, and falling interest rates mean more breathing space for people with mortgages.
The development of new technologies and the renewal of industry for carbon-free production will give Finland plenty of opportunities. Before Christmas, we heard quite a bit of good news: Google’s major land acquisitions in Kajaani and Muhos raised hopes of new data centre investments. Plans are in place for a billion-euro investment in an aluminium production facility in Kokkola. And a new supercomputer and “AI factory”, which will benefit all of Finland, are in the works in Kajaani.
The growth-enhancing work led by CEO Risto Murto will be completed early in the new year. All concrete and feasible measures to boost growth, be they large or smaller, have a role to play. Every reform means someone in Finland can find work and a family can get by.
That said, mounting defence and care expenditure means we will have to make difficult choices in the future, too. Our work to balance finances will continue during both this government term and the next. We cannot live on borrowed money forever. This is a question of intergenerational justice. Only an economically sustainable state can invest in its security.
Even though the economy is starting to pick up, we will still have to make adjustments and get by on scarce resources for a long time to come.
Finland is a welfare society, and it will continue to be one as long as we can halt the trend of indebtedness.
In the midst of savings, we have also made choices for the future. The Government has increased funding for comprehensive schools. We have increased the number of weekly lessons and the amount of individual support for students. We are also working on a reform of general and vocational upper secondary schools. We have increased the intake at higher education institutions so that more of our young people can achieve their dreams. We are making record investments in research and development.
In April, we will be holding municipal and county elections. Elections are important – Finnish municipalities and counties need people to bear responsibility and build the future.
I hope that this spring’s campaigns will take place in a spirit of goodwill, and that we can disagree with each other while also being respectful. We have to show our children and young people that looking after common issues and having a say through voting is something meaningful, even inspiring. Each party has its own ideas for how to get things done, but the objective is still the same: for Finland to be a good place to live, work and do business.
We are turning the page on a new year in uncertain times, but it is important to keep in mind all the good things around us. Finland is a great country, and it is our duty to take care of it. We can weather the world’s storms.
I wish you all a Happy New Year!
Petteri Orpo
Prime Minister