Price hike causes snags but state to support citizens: PM

Prime Minister Sanna Marin on Saturday said that many ordinary Finns have faced unreasonable difficulties due to prices hike and there are no easy solutions to this problem.

In her New Year’s message, the Premier, however, also assured that the state must step in to support its citizens, said an official press release.

“As prices rise, many ordinary Finns have faced unreasonable difficulties. There are no easy solutions to this problem, but it is clear that the state must step in to support its citizens,” said Marin, adding that with this in mind, the government has made efforts to mitigate the excessive impact of energy prices on Finnish households.

At the same time, she also vowed to continue the determined efforts to break away from Russian energy.

“Throughout Europe, we must learn from our mistakes and break free from the dependencies that have made us vulnerable,” she added.

The Prime Minister also reiterated that Finland will help the Ukrainians for as long as they need it.

“Russia may have started this war, but they will not win it,” she added.

Marin pointed that Finland and the international community at large immediately condemned Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.

“Right from the beginning, the European Union was united, strong and swift in its response. We must continue to show that strength and courage,” she added.

“For us Finns, Ukraine's fight is our fight. And we have shown our support and helped Ukrainians in all possible ways. We have sympathised with their plight and felt their distress. The people of Ukraine will always remember the help and support they have received from Finns, just as we ourselves remember the help we were given in times of war,” said the Prime Minister.

She also said that Finland has welcomed Ukrainians fleeing the war and provided Ukraine with humanitarian aid, protective equipment and defence supplies, including heavy weaponry.

“Now, in the midst of a harsh winter, we have offered expertise and equipment for winter warfare. We have contributed actively to the support provided through the EU and have been involved in deciding on that support together,” she said.

She said that the European Union imposed severe sanctions on Russia right from the start of the war. Finnish businesses have also felt the cost of the war, and it has affected people's personal finances.

“Not long ago, we believed we could build stability with Russia through cooperation. Russia is now using these connections – such as energy – as a weapon, seeking to erode our and other Europeans’ support for Ukraine. As a result of the energy crisis, we are now suffering from high electricity prices and exceptionally high inflation as we approach the heart of winter, Marin said.

She said that the war of aggression launched by Russia has had an impact on the security situation in Finland and in all of Europe.

“As a nation, we had to decide how Finland would respond to this new reality last spring. Our decision to seek NATO membership together with our closest neighbour Sweden was consistent with our interests and values. The decision was made with broad popular support and a strong parliamentary consensus. This consensus provides a good foundation for building our future as a NATO member. We are becoming part of the ever-closer Euro-Atlantic community, in which the security of each member also affects our security,” said the Prime Minister.

“I believe that the energy crisis, Russia’s war of aggression and the COVID-19 pandemic have shown us how important it is to examine our critical dependencies on other countries at a European level. We must strengthen our strategic autonomy – that is, Europe’s self-sufficiency – our resilience and our global partnerships, especially with other democracies. Because we can only strengthen Europe with the support of our friends. Equally, our friends, both close by and far away, need us,” said Marin.

Pointing out the an exceptionally demanding winter again and there are many uncertainties on the horizon, the Prime Minister expressed her confidence, “by investing boldly in our strengths, we can build a better future – together, by supporting one other and taking care of everyone.”

“We Finns are a strong people. We are resilient and we are able to make decisions together, even in difficult times. As a society, we have faith in the future, we trust one another and we are flexible. We must not take these strengths for granted; we must work to safeguard them,” she added.

Speaking on the upcoming parliamentary elections this spring, she said that the citizens of Finland will elect the decision-makers who will set the country’s course for the coming years.

“The exceptional years of this electoral term have shown the strength of a democratic Nordic welfare state in the midst of crises. In this situation, the parliamentary elections seem even more meaningful than before. Safeguarding democracy is our duty and privilege,” Marin said.

“I wish you all a Happy New Year!” the Prime Minister greeted the nation.