Finland’s government has survived a parliamentary no-confidence vote after opposition parties accused Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s administration of failing to do enough to protect households from the rising cost of living.
The government secured 95 votes against 77 in Parliament on Wednesday, allowing it to remain in office. A further 27 MPs were absent during the vote.
The motion of no confidence was brought forward by all five major opposition parties, which criticised the government’s response to increasing living costs and the financial pressure facing ordinary households. The Social Democratic Party (SDP) initiated the motion, which was submitted to Parliament on 23 October with support from the Centre Party, the Greens, the Left Alliance and Movement Now.
In their motion, the opposition parties argued that the government had not taken sufficient action to ease the financial burden on people living in Finland. They pointed particularly to rising fuel prices and warned that energy costs could also increase, adding to household expenses.
The vote represents the 44th motion of no confidence faced by Orpo’s government or an individual minister since the administration took office in the summer of 2023. Figures provided to Yle News by the Finnish Parliament show how frequently the current government has faced formal parliamentary challenges over its policies and decisions.
By comparison, Finland’s previous government faced 30 motions of no confidence during its time in office. That administration was initially led by Antti Rinne of the SDP, before Sanna Marin replaced him as prime minister in 2019.
Although the latest motion did not secure enough support to remove the government, it brought the cost of living back into parliamentary debate. Fuel prices and the potential increase in energy expenses remain central concerns raised by the opposition as households deal with everyday costs.
In Finland, a motion of no confidence is part of a formal parliamentary procedure known as välikysymys. Opposition MPs can use it to question the government’s actions and demand an explanation from the administration. Following the government’s response, Parliament votes on whether it continues to have the confidence of the majority of MPs. A government or individual minister that loses such a vote may be required to resign.
The result means Orpo’s government retains Parliament’s confidence following the latest challenge, despite opposition criticism of its handling of the rising cost of living.
