Political parties split on Arctic railroad plan

Political parties are split in their attitudes towards the possible Arctic railroad to start from the Arctic Sea via Finland to the Baltic Sea coast, media reports said on Thursday.

Responding to questions from the national broadcaster Yle, major parties were positive while some smaller parties were negative.

The currently prevailing plan envisages routing from Kirkenes in Norway to Rovaniemi in Finland, and on to southern Finland. The cost has been estimated at 2.9 billion euros.

Of the eight parties that responded, only the opposition Christian Democrats demanded that the railroad should not go via Norway but instead go eastwards to Russian Kandalaksa and end in the port of Murmansk. The party said it would be the cheapest route as it largely exists.

Of the ruling parties, the Suomen Keskusta (Centre Party of Finland) saw major possibilities opening for Finland. Leaders of the Kansallinen Kokoomus (National Coalition Party) said the railroad would bring economic benefits, but at high cost.

Opposition Suomen sosialidemokraattinen puolue (Social Democratic Party of Finland-SDP) wanted Finland to be "the gateway of the European Union towards the Northeast passage". The Perussuomalaiset (Finns Party) described the new shipping lanes as vital.

The Vihreä Liitö (Green League) said the economic grounds for the new track have not been shown and it is likely to be unprofitable. In its response, the party noted the adverse impact on the local original population.

The Vasemmistoliito (Left Alliance) said it has no stand on the plan, but it is opposed to a project where the rights of the local original population have not been taken into account.

The Ruotsalainenkansanpuolue (Swedish People's Party) said it is very critical towards the plans, mainly on environmental grounds.

A Finnish-Norwegian task force has completed a more detailed look into the plan, but the report has not been published, as further talks are scheduled in January with the local Sami population representatives.

An earlier report said the freight on the railroad would comprise mainly minerals, fish products, raw wood and forest industry products and merchandise to be transported via the Northeast passage to the export destinations.