Finland's PM highlights Poland's pivotal defense role in EU
The Prime Minister of Finland, Petteri Orpo, emphasized that Europe's defense is unfolding in the eastern part of the continent, including Poland. In an interview with Yle, he clarified that defense spending should not impact the budget deficit. His suggestion faced criticism from coalition partners belonging to the Finns Party.
In a conversation with the public broadcaster Yle, Prime Minister Orpo stressed the crucial role of Eastern European countries, such as Poland, in the continent's defense. He pointed out that significant defense efforts are concentrated there, rather than in Western or Southern Europe.
Orpo reiterated that the Finnish government's objective is to exclude defense expenditures from the budget deficit calculations. According to EU regulations, the public sector's deficit must not exceed 3%, and the debt should not surpass 60% of GDP.
Prime Minister of Finland discusses Europe's defense, highlights Poland's role
Prime Minister Orpo acknowledged that the financial burdens are substantial, making it difficult for a single nation to bear alone. He remains open to the idea of a shared EU debt mechanism, provided that the funds are allocated to areas where Europe's defense is actively taking place.
The proposal put forth by Orpo was met with resistance from coalition partners, including the Finns Party, the second largest right-wing populist party. During the approval of the government program in mid-2023, it was determined that Finland would not endorse mechanisms involving shared debt, akin to the previously established EU Recovery Instrument.
Orpo, who leads the National Coalition Party, maintains that solid financial support is essential for defending Europe. He believes that Poland and the Baltic countries are at the forefront of these efforts.
