Finland

Police forces in Helsinki on May Day. Image: Twitter/@NannaIlopaa.

VAPPU

60 detained during protest against Covid-19 restrictions in Helsinki

The Nomad Today 5/1/21

A protest of 6 people was notified to the police, but it turned into a demonstration attended by more than 300.

People queuing on Friday morning outside Migri's office in Helsinki. Photo: Bambi Dang.

IMMIGRATION

Victims of Migri chaos call for urgent reform to reduce waiting times

The Nomad Today 5/1/21

They argue that Migri's system creates a huge backlog and residence permits are delayed over the longest processing time, blocking applicants' access to civil rights.

The leaders of the 5 parties of the government coalition, after the negotiation concluded. Photo: Lauri Heikkinen/Vnk.

PUBLIC FINANCES

Budget deal: more spending, deficit to go through the roof

The Nomad Today 4/30/21

During the pandemic, the government has pursued an exceptionally expansionary fiscal policy and intends to follow a similar roadmap for the future.

Young students celebrating Vappu before the pandemic, in Tampere in 2017. Photo: Laura-Vanzo.

MAY DAY

Police warn that no large gatherings are allowed to celebrate Vappu

The Nomad Today 4/29/21

Authorities also asked parents to remind their children not to gather in large groups in public places.

Helsinki-airport-plane-Finnair-by-Finavia

AIR TRANSPORT

Passengers at Finnish airports decreased 83% in March

The Nomad Today 4/29/21

45% of the passengers were from international flights and 55% from domestic flights.

The leaders of the 5 parties of the government coalition. Photo: Lauri Heikkinen/Vnk.

NEGOTIATIONS ENDED

Finland dodges government collapse with last-minute budget deal

The Nomad Today 4/28/21

"I believe that the government can continue its work after these framework negotiations," Prime Minister Marin said.

HELSINKI REGION

Police suspect 40-year-old taxi driver drugged and raped women

The Nomad Today 4/28/21

Investigators believe that the suspect may have committed more crimes than known so far and have asked other possible victims to contact authorities.

A general view of the headquarters of Business Finland, whose aid to companies caused a bitter controversy in 2020. Photo: Foreigner.fi.

CORONAVIRUS CRISIS

Small companies received an average of € 50,000 in business subsidies

The Nomad Today 4/28/21

Finland paid 1.75 billion euros in business subsidies in 2020. The majority of the subsidy recipients were micro and small enterprises.

Prime Minister Sanna Marin speaks to the press during a break in negotiations. Photo: Laura Kotila/Vnk.

BUDGET NEGOTIATION

Finnish government paralyzed, economy in trouble

The Nomad Today 4/27/21

The leaders of the ruling coalition parties have been locked in, confronted and unable to agree on the budget for nearly a week as bad economic news continues to arrive.

Women-shopping-mall-bags-beautiful-girls

OPTIMISM

Consumer confidence recovers with the easing of anti-Covid measures

The Nomad Today 4/27/21

Consumers' expectations concerning the development of the unemployment situation in Finland became slightly brighter in April.

Engineer-factory-production-plant-manufacture by pexels

BUSINESS

Prices of Finnish manufactured goods grew 6.7% over the last year

The Nomad Today 4/26/21

Producer prices also increased in the service sector.

Couple-black-wthite-multicultural-pregnant-family by Pixabay

POPULATION

Decrease in birth rate stopped in 2020 after 9 years

The Nomad Today 4/25/21

The total fertility rate rose slightly to 1.37 children per woman.

A woman walking on a snowy road. Photo: Pixabay.

POPULATION

Finnish women live on average 7 years longer than men

The Nomad Today 4/24/21

In 2020 the country recorded 83 infant deaths, the lowest number in the history of independent Finland.

COVID-19

Companies in all sectors can apply for business cost support

The Nomad Today 4/23/21

The government has listed the sectors that can apply for state funds without providing further justification. Companies not belonging to the listed sectors must justify the need for support and…

A car crashed in an accident on a dirt road in the Uusimaa region. Photo: Foreigner.fi.

TRAFFIC

Deaths in road accidents decreased in the first quarter of the year

The Nomad Today 4/23/21

The number of people killed was 20 lower than in the corresponding period of 2020.

Helsinki central railway station. Photo: Foreigner.fi.

INVESTIGATION

16-year-old boy suspected of fatal stabbing at Helsinki station

The Nomad Today 4/22/21

The killing occurred after a brawl between three men and a group of seven minors of foreign origin in the tunnel entrance to tracks 1 and 2.

Child-face-mask-flu-influenza-coronavirus by Pixabay

POPULATION

Coronials push Finland's birth rate up

The Nomad Today 4/22/21

Increased time at home, the closure of restaurants and other entertainment venues may have helped some couples get closer to each other, in the absence of other possibilities to pass the time.

Matti-Vanhanen-Mika-Lintilä-by-Lauri-Heikkinen-Vnk

IMBALANCE

Finland deficit and debt soar above limits of EU Stability Pact

The Nomad Today 4/21/21

The financial position of general government weakened by good 10 billion compared with 2019.

50 APPOINTMENTS PER DAY

Migri's office in Malmi to open four Saturdays in April and May

The Nomad Today 4/20/21

The immigration agency has decided to open on Saturdays following recent news reports and Twitter threads recounting the chaos generated by the lack of available appointments.