Left Alliance seeks a vote of no confidence against Health Minister Juuso | Yle news

Minister of Social Affairs and Health Kaisa Juuso (Finnish) said that a planned €100 million cut in social services came as a surprise to her.

Open the image viewer

The opposition Left Alliance plans to submit a motion of no confidence against the Minister of Social Affairs and Health Kaisa Juuso (Finns). The chairman of the party’s parliamentary group, Jussi Saramoannounced this on Monday in a post on social media.

This follows widespread criticism of Juuso last weekend after her comment that she was surprised by the government’s decision to cut social services by 100 million euros.

Saramo accused the government of “pushing social and healthcare services into an even deeper crisis.” He said it was important that opposition parties submitted an interpellation earlier in April on the issue of the proposed hospital closures, arguing that such closures would “only worsen the situation at local level”.

Last week’s budget negotiations showed that, in addition to a government that ideologically despises public services, there is a special problem in the minister responsible not fulfilling her duties. The Left Alliance will therefore separately submit a motion of no confidence against the government. Minister Juuso,” Saramo wrote.

In an interview published on Saturday in the leading newspaper Helsingin Sanomat, Juuso admitted that the 100 million euro cut in social services decided in the budget framework talks had come as a surprise to her.

Based on her comments, Juuso appeared to have stayed out of the budgetary circle – despite the fact that he was finance minister Riikka Purra is her colleague from the Finnish Party. Last Tuesday, the right-wing government announced additional cuts to public finances for a total of three billion euros, on top of the previously announced cuts.

The government said it wants to cut 100 million euros in social care spending by limiting the range of services available. Details have not yet been announced.

According to Juuso, the social care cuts were planned by a small working group chaired by the National Coalition Party MP Matias Martinen and including MP from the Finnish Party Ville Vähämäki.

“Let’s say that even I was surprised by a cut of 100 million euros. But of course the matter will be clarified when a decision is made on this, and we will move on,” Juuso told the newspaper.

While campaigning for re-election to parliament last spring, Juuso rejected cuts to social services and health care.

Just over a year ago, Juuso wrote in response to a question in the Yle election compass before the parliamentary elections: “There cannot be cuts in education, social services and health care, so cuts must be made elsewhere, such as development aid and immigration. “

Since last autumn, opposition parties in various formations have submitted a series of interpellations challenging the government and individual ministers on various issues, including planned cuts to social services and labor policies.

However, the five governing coalition parties have a rock-solid majority of 109 seats in the 200-seat parliament, so none of the confidence votes have posed a real threat to the cabinet.

Juuso took office last June. At the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, she shares responsibilities with the Minister of Social Security Sanni Grahn-Laasonen and Minister of Employment Arto Satonen (both NCP).

Juuso, 63, was elected to parliament five years ago, representing the northwestern town of Tornio. Previously, she worked as a nurse and as an international healthcare specialist at the Swedish Social Insurance Agency and at two insurance companies.

The latest edition of Yle News’ All Points North podcast assesses the latest round of government austerity measures and wonders what the cuts and tax increases could mean for you.

Listen to the episode via this embedded player, op Yle Areena, through Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

What do the austerity measures in Finland mean for you?

Users with a Yle ID can leave comments on our news stories. You can create your Yle ID via this link. Our commenting and moderation guidelines are explained here.