Govt survives no-confidence motion

The government on Wednesday survived a no-confidence motion in parliament brought by the opposition over the reform proposal to open the railway sector to competition, breaking the monopoly of VR Group.

The three-party alliance government won the confidence vote by 95 to 77, while 27 lawmakers abstained from voting on the issue or remained absent, parliament sources said.

Lawmakers from the Vihreä Liitö (Green League), Perussuomalaiset (Finns Party), Vasemmistoliitto (Left Alliance) and Suomenruotsalainenkansanpuolue (Swedish People’s Party of Finland-RKP) criticised the government’s move to reform the rail transport sector, saying it would help foreign investors and go against the interests of the local railway passengers.

The government, however, said the reform is aimed at safeguarding public transport services in entire Finland, enabling the creation of new services in different sectors, and increasing opportunities for people to choose the most suitable option for them.

The government also plans to create three state-owned companies separate from the VR Group to guarantee access to the market.