NCP Accuses SDP of Lacking Economic Alternative as Finland’s Growth Returns

Finland’s governing National Coalition Party (NCP) has criticised the opposition Social Democratic Party (SDP), accusing it of failing to present a clear economic alternative as Finland’s economy begins to recover.

In a statement published on its social media channels, the NCP said Finland’s economy grew by around two per cent during the first half of the year.

The party also pointed to forecasts from the government and OP Financial Group, which expect the Finnish economy to grow by approximately two per cent this year.

The NCP said the improving economic outlook could also lead to a decline in unemployment in the autumn.

“If the economy is not growing, the SDP is to blame. Now that growth is starting, thanks for listening to the negotiations,” the NCP said in its statement.

The governing party accused the SDP of focusing on issues such as changes to the employment system, increasing cultivated farmland and what it described as “cleaning up statistics”, rather than presenting concrete measures to create new jobs.

The NCP also criticised the SDP for what it described as a lack of an alternative economic programme after three years in opposition.

The statement comes as Finland’s political parties increasingly turn their attention to the country’s economic performance, employment and public finances ahead of the next parliamentary election.

The SDP has yet to respond to the NCP’s latest criticism in the statement.