The Prime Minister of Finland stated that an equal, well-funded education system and a strong welfare state are the secrets of the success of the happiest country in the world.
In a rare interview with foreign media, Sanna Marin-when she became the youngest world leader, she briefly became the youngest leader in the world. 2019 Prime Minister of the Nordic Countries The 34-year-old Finn stated that Finland is committed to safeguarding its generous welfare state in an “environmentally sustainable way” and that the development and export of green technologies is considered the key to its future prosperity.
Marin said that after being named the happiest country in the world by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network in April, the country “wants to do better in terms of equality”, which requires people to be satisfied with them on a 10-point scale. Degree to be scored.
Marin was welcomed during the pandemic for his confident management of the crisis; in a country of 5.5 million people, only about 1,300 people have died from the virus. But rifts within her five-party coalition — all led by female leaders — began to show.
A poll conducted by the Finnish National Public Broadcasting Corporation YLE last week showed that the opposition Liberal Conservative Party National League is the most popular party, followed by the right-wing populist Finnish Party, and Marin’s Social Democratic Party is third.
In recent weeks, after Belarus launched a speculative vote of no confidence in opposition parties aimed at closing the 800-mile border to asylum seekers, she has faced opposition. The EU condemns “hybrid attacks” By sending asylum seekers to the borders of Poland, Latvia and Lithuania. But Marin said there is no problem with the Finnish border.
“We have to say that this is unacceptable. We condemn Belarus’ actions. But at the same time, we must ensure that people’s human rights are respected in this situation,” she said.
When asked if she thinks the future government will continue to promote equality, despite the gap between her liberal government and more right-wing opposition parties, she said: “I think so. Because this is a work in progress. We. I have been working hard for equality in Finland. I think this is also very important in the future, not only equality between men and women, or gender equality, but also the equality of minority groups in society.
“We have to make sure that the structure does not become an obstacle for people. So there is a lot to do.”
The recent legislative turmoil has enforced education until the age of 18. The new parental leave system, which is expected to take effect in August next year, will allow fathers to take leave from 54 days to at least 97 days.
“Our idea is that mothers and fathers will spend the same amount of time at home with their young children so that both parties can have the same opportunities in their careers, and we can also [narrow] The gender pay gap,” Marin said.
Marin also reiterated her commitment to end homelessness in Finland. Housing priority approach It has helped reduce street homelessness and plans to eliminate this phenomenon by 2027.
This is a model that has attracted the attention of British politicians. However, based on the “housing first” program launched in 2018, the country’s funds for the three pilots will be used up next year, and members of Congress warned that they now face a “cliff of support”.
Marin said that the long-term investment in Housing First is an important development, but there is still work to be done.
“There are still people homeless, and we still have problems, especially in big cities. But we have also made progress,” she said. “The housing priority model is a very important model, but of course we also need solutions for the healthcare system, social security system and employment. We must ensure that we treat people as complete individuals.”
Finland is committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2035, 15 years ahead of the EU target. Marin said that although climate change is the biggest challenge facing the country, it may also be “a huge opportunity” for Finnish companies.
“We want to transform in a way that really benefits ordinary people,” she said. “Because if we don’t let people join, then there is nothing we can do.”
Marin, from a low-income background, added that the promise of a fairer and more equal society will continue the work of “multiple generations” of politicians.
“Of course, the biggest problem is that they have established a welfare society in Finland: people from a fairly ordinary background like me have the opportunity to study in life, go to university, and have a chance to create their own future in life,” she said .
“So I think all the decisions and hard work that people before me made to build our society are important-the real work to do now is to ensure that we continue to promote equal opportunities.”
