Government Locks Horns Over STEA Grant Criteria as Rydman Declares Them Final Amid No-Confidence Threat and Job Loss Warnings

The Finnish government remains divided over the criteria for social and health sector grants, with Minister of Social Affairs and Health Wille Rydman (Finns Party) declaring the new rules "in force" despite Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s (National Coalition Party) insistence on a joint review. The dispute centers on nearly €200 million in funding cuts, which have sparked backlash from opposition parties and civil society groups, with the Left Alliance now threatening a vote of no confidence against Rydman if the criteria are not revised. The cuts could result in the loss of up to 2,000 jobs compared to 2024 levels, according to the Funding Centre for Social Welfare and Health Organizations (STEA) (MTV Uutiset).