Permanent secretaries: Debate on public services needed in lead up to parliamentary elections

The Permanent Secretaries of Finland’s ministries have drawn up a joint review of the country's strategic situation and key approaches to solutions for the next two electoral terms. Finland's Choices was published on Thursday 28 May 2026. It offers interested parties a foundation of information that rests on an assessment by public officials.

A clear picture of the situation and a credible road map will support decision-making and the stability of society. Crises and forced decisions can be avoided if choices are made in good time. This will help Finland remain one of the best countries in the world.

The framework for the review is formed by four key pressures in the operating environment:

• global instability;
• climate change and biodiversity loss;
• changes in demographics and regional structure; and
• imbalances in general government finances.

Based on these pressures, the permanent secretaries focused their review on three goals – trust, security and sustainable growth – and outlined 31 approaches to solutions. 

Public services must be adapted to the limits of general government finances

Due to the need to adjust general government finances, the permanent secretaries propose that the next Government Programme should outline key principles for redefining public administration and public services as a whole. It is not possible to maintain the current range of public services. Public administration and public services need to be adapted to the limits of general government finances.
Before the next parliamentary elections, a wide-ranging public debate needs to be held on what rights and obligations the public service system should include and what the role of public authorities and individuals should be.
In addition to the need to balance general government finances, there is a need for many reforms.

Trust plays an important role in times of crisis and instability

The permanent secretaries emphasise that trust in Finland’s future is a key success factor in uncertain times. Fostering trust is especially important because of the difficult choices that lie ahead. Without trust, there is a risk that divisions and polarisation will deepen, which would weaken the unity of society and make it more difficult to implement the necessary changes.
Security has taken on a more central role on the national policy agenda. However, this role is no longer limited to traditional defence and security policy. It also involves significant questions related to security of supply, the economy, digitalisation, technology and the environment.

In the short term, even rapidly accelerating economic growth would not eliminate the need for adjustment measures, though growth measures will play a key role in promoting wellbeing in the long term.

Each ministry will publish its own review later this year, which will provide added depth and breadth to the Finland’s Choices publication.

Inquiries: Jouni Varanka, Director of Unit, tel. +358 295 160 177, Saara Tamminen, Chief Specialist, tel. +358 160 895, Prime Minister’s Office.