🇫🇮Week of October 5

Prime Minister said France cannot be indifferent to the concerns of high school students. The statement was made amid the ongoing protests.1

Attributed claim: Uusi Suomi (centre-right) reported that the ambassador said student demonstrations are being exploited by those who see an opportunity to cause chaos. This contrasts with Demokraatti.fi (left), which framed the protests as school riots intensifying with union support.23

Finland's Ministry of Defence blocked a real estate transaction in which a Russian millionaire sought to buy a remote barracks area on the country's eastern border. The ministry said the purchase would have enabled intelligence activity.123

The buyer is described as a well-known Russian millionaire, and the property is located in Miehikkälä. Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen blocked the deal, which outlets characterised as involving a critical junction point.34

The ministry issued a red light to six real estate transactions in total, with buyers originating from the same country.5

Finland's Ministry of Finance (VM) has proposed raising the retirement age to 70 and eliminating the home care allowance. The proposal would affect people born in 1967 and later. Under the ministry's model, the retirement age could rise to nearly 74.123

Prime Minister Petteri Orpo has commented on the proposal, with Iltalehti reporting his response. Politicians have also weighed in, as covered by Ilta-Sanomat.45

The proposal has drawn criticism, with reactions described as "irresponsible" in Iltalehti.6

The National Coalition Party (Kokoomus) has presented a savings list totaling nine billion euros aimed at public finances and social and health care services, and the package does not include any tax increases. The party now wants two billion euros in pension cuts, a goal that Helsingin Sanomat's centre-right outlet reports will almost inevitably hit current pensioners. The savings list outlines specific cuts targeting new billion-euro reductions in public finances and social and health care.12

The Swedish People's Party (RKP) leader Anders Adlercreutz rejected the pension proposal as unrealistic, asking what the party is really after. SDP leaders also condemned the pension talk, with Ilta-Sanomat quoting them saying "first they strike like a foreign pig..." The criticism came from both the centre and centre-right outlets covering the same announcement.345

The pension dispute unfolds as Finland and five other EU member states have issued an ultimatum threatening not to approve the EU budget unless it includes spending cuts amounting to hundreds of billions. The standoff concerns the EU's multiannual financial framework negotiations. The National Coalition Party's savings proposal has drawn criticism, with opponents describing it as "carnivalization" and "completely unnecessary."12

Russia is facing international demands for additional information about suspected plague cases, with the World Health Organization reportedly encountering problems in its handling of the situation. Media reports indicate a second possible plague case has emerged in the country.123

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has accused the media of exaggerating the situation, while an Irkutsk resident complained that "everything is being hidden from the people." The Russian government is seeking to downplay the incident.14

The United States has advised its citizens to leave Russia immediately, as reported by Iltalehti. The advisory adds to international pressure on Moscow over the suspected plague outbreak.5

Attributed claim: Finnish outlets Ilta-Sanomat (centre) and HS.fi (centre-right) highlight official secrecy and public frustration, while Suomenmaa.fi (centre) focuses on the WHO's difficulties. The coverage reflects a shared concern over Russia's transparency but differs in emphasis.143