PM frets over economy, braces for Russian influence | Yale News

Prime Minister Petteri Orpo (NCP) lamented the state of Finland's economy on Saturday.

Prime Minister Petteri Orpo in Helsinki on Saturday, January 13, 2024. Image: Vesa Moilanen 7 Magazine Photo

Prime Minister Peter Orbo (NCP) said on Saturday that Finland's economy was in worse shape than its incoming government had thought last spring.

Speaking at a National Alliance party council meeting in Helsinki, he said another 1 to 1.5 billion euros would need to be added to the planned six billion euro cuts to meet his administration's goal of balancing public finances.

„We have major issues right now in this country, challenges related to the economy and border security and a war on the horizon,” he said.

Orpo also weighed in on Russian hybrid influence as reports of illegal crossings across the shared land border picked up again this week.

„The situation is dire. Now the borders are closed, but influence operations continue with illegal border crossings. The government is protecting the border under all circumstances,” Orbo said.

And the Prime Minister indicated that the government is ready to counter Russian influence activities.

„We will take additional measures if necessary,” he said, adding that Finland is ready to re-evaluate its legislation in this light.

However, Orpo noted that the situation on the eastern border is currently calm.

„There is physical surveillance, fences have been built in critical areas, and more will be built in the spring,” he said.

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