Minja Koskela criticizes Finland's debt brake agreement

Minja Koskela, chair of the Left Alliance, has criticized the proposed debt brake agreement during a party council meeting. She argued that the required fiscal adjustments of 8 to 11 billion euros could hinder economic development. Under current EU rules, these adjustments are limited to tax increases or spending cuts, preventing the use of employment or growth-oriented measures.

Koskela advocated for a more moderate adjustment amount spread across multiple electoral terms, incorporating investments designed to stimulate the economy. She proposed reforming the budgetary framework to allow tax changes to be integrated into long-term economic planning and to permit new spending if it is offset by corresponding revenue increases.

Additionally, Koskela criticized the current government's labor market policies, claiming they shift power from employees to employers through measures such as easing fixed-term contracts and increasing local bargaining. She stated that the next term must focus on restoring the balance of power in the labor market by increasing unionization levels.