3.6.2022 | Children and young people are experiencing more mental strain than before, and as a result, their need for and use of services has also increased. Although the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted these problems, it is not the only reason for them. It is therefore necessary to gain an overall picture of the situation to find the best solutions and identify the social changes needed to help children, young people and young adults.

5.1.2022 | The Government has amended the decree restricting the activities of restaurants and other food and beverage service businesses due to the COVID-19 epidemic. Restrictions on food and beverage service businesses that are necessary to prevent the spread of the epidemic will be introduced in Åland.

27.1.2022 | Internal border control, which was reinstated for traffic between Finland and all Schengen countries at the end of December, will end on 31 January. In contrast, restrictions on external border traffic will continue until 14 February. The Government adopted a decision on the restrictions on external border traffic on 27 January and the decision will enter into force on 1 February.

13.3.2024 | Prime Minister Petteri Orpo spoke at the European Parliament in Strasbourg on 13 March 2024. Check against delivery.

1.3.2021 | The Government, in cooperation with the President of the Republic, has declared a state of emergency in Finland due to COVID-19. In its plenary session on Monday 1 March, the Government declared that the country is in a state of emergency as referred to in section 3, paragraph 5 of the Emergency Powers Act. The state of emergency will enter into force immediately.

5.5.2021 | The 2021 municipal elections will be held on Sunday 13 June. In the elections, local councillors and deputy councillors will be elected for the next four-year term. The term of office of the local councils will begin on 1 August 2021 and last until 31 May 2025.

22.10.2021 | In its meeting in Brussels on 21 October, the European Council discussed the spike in energy prices, the rule of law situation in the EU, the COVID-19 pandemic and trade policy. The Council also addressed external relations issues, including the COP26 Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, the Eastern Partnership and the ASEM summit. Prime Minister Sanna Marin is representing Finland at the meeting, which will continue on Friday.

20.12.2022 | Finland’s gross domestic product began a slight decline in the autumn, and weak economic development is expected to continue over the winter according to the Economic Survey published by the Ministry of Finance on 20 December.

16.12.2022 | Otto Köngäs took up his duties as Special Adviser to Minister of Family Affairs and Social Services Krista Kiuru on 16 December 2022. He will be responsible for issues involving alcohol and drugs, mental health, and services for older people and people with disabilities and children and young people.

31.3.2021 | On 31 March, the Government decided to extend the restrictions on entry into the country until 30 April 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread, and we do not yet have adequate measures available to replace the restrictions. For this reason, and to curb the spread of COVID-19 variants, both internal border controls and restrictions on external border traffic will continue. No substantive changes were made to the decisions taken on 11 March. The changes will enter into force on 1 April.