Kaikki on Mahollista.

The role of the state

Finland is a state governed by the rule of law. Its most important responsibilities include ensuring security, a functioning justice system and credible national defence. People must be able to trust that they can move around safely, that crime is addressed and that everyone receives a fair trial. Finland must also be able to defend its independence and its citizens’ freedom against external threats.

My vision for Finland

In 2040, Finland is a country where everyone is free to build prosperity through their own efforts. You can walk alone in the street without fearing other people. Violent crime has plummeted. Government debt has stopped growing. The public sector is among the most efficient in the world. Finland is back at the top of the PISA rankings. Following Estonia’s example, Finland has introduced a flat tax, and economic growth is stronger than ever. The Finnish men’s national football team is on its way to the next World Cup.

Finland has been renovated. Life is smiling.

Taxation

Finland’s taxation is among the heaviest in the world. I support a simpler, flatter tax model along the lines of Estonia’s. Taxation must be easy to understand and predictable. People should keep considerably more of what they earn through extra work, entrepreneurship and success.

I want to reduce taxes while substantially shrinking the public sector. I would not cut the state’s core functions, such as defence, the police or the justice system, but other public spending must face much closer scrutiny than it does today. We need to be able to start with a clean slate.

Pensions

The current pension system needs a major overhaul. I do not consider it fair that younger generations bear an ever greater burden without knowing what kind of pension they will receive themselves. The system served its purpose for a time.

I would like to move towards a system based more on personal saving and investment funds, giving people greater ownership of and control over their pension assets. We can learn from models such as the US 401(k), while of course building a Finnish solution suited to Finland’s circumstances.

People should be able to see more clearly what they are saving and what is accumulating for them personally. This is how we can restore young people’s confidence in the future.

Immigration

I do not oppose anyone as a person or think that being foreign makes someone a problem. People must be able to come to Finland to work, study, start businesses and build a good life. My principle is simple: people come to Finland to participate in society, not to live permanently at others’ expense.

If a person works, supports themselves as far as they are able, obeys the law and respects other people’s rights, their background or religion does not make them a lesser person. The same rules apply to everyone in Finland.

At the same time, immigration policy must be capable of being strict. Unlawful residence must be addressed, serious crime must have real consequences, and deportation of foreign nationals must be an available measure when the legal conditions are met. The border must remain closed if that is in Finns’ best interests.

Culture or religion cannot justify, for example, the oppression of women, violence or violations of other fundamental rights.

To me, good immigration policy is neither “everyone in” nor “everyone out”. People are welcome to come here to work and live responsibly, but in Finland we follow Finnish law and carry our share of our common responsibilities.

Where would I cut spending?

I would seek substantial savings primarily in administration, bureaucracy, ineffective subsidies and public functions outside the state’s core responsibilities. Agencies and layers of administration can be reduced, business and organisational subsidies cut, and social security reformed to provide stronger incentives to work. We must also dare to reform the pension system thoroughly.

Finland needs to be brought up to date. We simply can no longer afford everything we have become accustomed to and everything that has been promised. Even radical changes are needed if we want to get out of this situation.

After these changes it would still be the same Finland — more efficient and focused than ever. 🇫🇮