President of the Republic

Members of Parliament elected by the Finnish people

​The global turmoil has been seen and felt during the electoral term now drawing to its close. Our work has been met with unpredictable changes, first with the global pandemic and then with the war of conquest started by Russia in Ukraine.

The Parliament and the Government, which enjoys its confidence, are obligated to respond to any situations that demand decision-making at the state level. In addition, it would be good to be able to anticipate different future scenarios.

The spread of the pandemic was mitigated in various ways in order to ensure that treatment capacity could be maintained for the infected. Highly exceptionally, Parliament was forced to discuss the execution of the Emergency Powers Act. Its careful handling also demonstrated for the future that the Government and authorities may only restrict the constitutional freedoms and rights of citizens as a last resort.

An impartial assessment with possible development suggestions should be carried out on the decisions, decision-making and management system related to managing the COVID-19 pandemic as well as on the international pandemic-related cooperation.

The pandemic and later the war in Ukraine led to an exceptionally rapidly implemented stimulus policy, which momentarily led to exceeding the framework for government finances set for the electoral term. Both of the crises during the electoral terms could have also resulted in a crisis for corporate and working life, but we have managed to avoid the worst of it for now. The economic downturn due to the crises has become a burden especially on public finances, increasing its deficit in a way whose effects will be felt in politics for years to come.

The handling of the pandemic was about protecting the health and lives of all of us and our loved ones. The citizens followed the regulations, guidelines and recommendations from the authorities to a sufficient degree, and the vaccine coverage ultimately slowed the spread of the infections. Even so, many lost their lives.

The war in Ukraine, which, as a war and due to the related practices and objectives, more closely resembles a war of an era that should be behind us by now, threatens the lives, property and future of our fellow Ukrainians in one way or another. Europe as a whole should be all about freedom, democracy, rule of law, respect for international treaties and humanity.

We in Finland and in Parliament could not accept the fact that Ukraine was under the threat of subjugation through the slaughter of its people. We could not accept Russia's objective of restoring its sphere of influence in Europe in a way where some of the independent countries would have lost their sovereign decision-making power over their own security. Together, we needed to provide an answer for the question of how we could best defend our country if war came to our doorstep.

In the situation at hand, our State institutions of Parliament, the President of the Republic and the Government were able to operate in harmony for the best interest of the Finnish and European people. We have been determined in supporting Ukraine. We have participated in the gradually deepening wall of sanctions imposed to change the course of Russia's actions. We also decided to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The cooperation between the institutions has been smooth. Everyone has pulled in the same direction, with the sole objective of ensuring the safety of our citizens.

As part of both the crises, our thoughts have turned to reinforcing security of supply and self-sufficiency, with consideration for what we need to do both nationally and at the European level. We have been too reliant on the global market and the functionality of the supply chain. We need to always be able to produce food and energy domestically. We need to procure medicine and technology through international cooperation.

Alongside the crises, the current Parliament has continued to provide a Finnish response to climate change. Our total emissions started to decrease 20 years ago already. The work has been ongoing for a long time, and all our different governments have supported it. Now, we have come to a stage where more and more green transition investments are flowing to Finland from around the world.

The reduction of emissions must be maintained as a goal shared by the Finnish people, both now and in the future. Inclusive policy is not just a necessity but also an opportunity. Property owners can calculate when it is the best time to switch from oil to ground heat or wood, install solar panels or blow wool in the attic. The hundreds of thousands of forest owners know better than anyone else what grows on which hill or in which valley or when a spruce forest threatened by butt rot or spruce bark beetles should be felled. That knowledge is not something passed down by the Government. The forest owners themselves are the ones who have the most extensive knowledge about these types of things.

The events that have taken place during the electoral term nearing its end may have added to the anxiety and reduced the field of vision of many of our citizens. The world is filled with uncertainty. However, we have an organised society that is led democratically and is served by a competent public administration consisting of experts, where constant critical discussions are had about our options and solutions.

As a nation, we are equipped to tackle the difficulties we face. And the readier we are to anticipate the future and adjust the ways of life we are accustomed to, the better we will fare. We need to think multiple steps ahead when drawing conclusions about demographic trends, our inevitably changing climate, the opportunities in technological development and the trends that pose a threat to our security.

President of the Republic. On behalf of Parliament, which represents the Finnish people, I wish to express my deepest gratitude for your unwavering commitment to your work, by which you fully satisfy the terms of the oath you swore eleven years ago when you took up the esteemed task of President of the Republic. I also extend to you the Parliament's most cordial greetings and assurance of respect.