Election themes

1. Nature and climate protection are the responsibility of adults

We need to make our way of life sustainable. That means reducing the consumption of goods, but also improving the quality of life and well-being through a connection with nature, meaningful experiences and community.

The fight against climate change and environmental loss must not be delayed because of other important issues, in fact they should guarantee the conditions for people’s well-being and health. Finland must be carbon neutral by 2035. The share of animal-derived food must be reduced and the share of plant proteins increased with the help of taxation and subsidies. Subsidies for fossil fuels must be stopped and the green transition of energy must be continued.

Loss of biodivertiversity must be stopped by 2030 and 30% of the surface area of land and water must be protected during the next government term. Peat fields must be restored, the restoration of bogs must be increased, and forests that are not protected must be transitioned to economical and sustainably cultivation – all in cooperation with landowners and farmers, following the principles of a just transition.

Climate and environmental anxiety among young people is a natural reaction that indicates the need for change. It cannot be invalidated or belittled as a feeling. Young people must be involved as active participants in keeping their planet viable.

• Subsidies for fossil fuels in energy production should be stopped and decentralised renewable energy production should be supported
• The taxation of animal products should be increased and the taxation of vegetables should be reduced
• The state’s old forests must be protected as first priority
• Continuous cultivation in forestry should be supported financially and by raising awareness

2. Social and health care must bring more well-being

Funding for social and health care must, fundamentally, be increased. Ineffective treatments should be abandoned. National guidance, for example through the Council for Choices in Health Care (COHERE), should be strengthened so that public healthcare services are uniform throughout the country.

The alleviation of suffering, humane support and companionship should always be available, regardless of how services are prioritised. The focus of social and health care should be boldly shifted to promoting health, increasing well-being and preventing health issues. The continuity of care must be improved at the basic level by reducing staff turnover through more humane working conditions and workload reduction.

Most of the promotion of health and well being and the prevention of health issues takes place outside social and health care. The structures that maintain health inequality must be dismantled. Healthy lifestyles, such as plant-based nutrition and exercising, must be made easy and attractive for people.

• We need 1,000 extra doctors for primary health care and alongside them nurses, therapists, secretaries, and support staff.
• Care that supports interpersonal relationships (family therapy, family work, couple and other interpersonal counseling) should be encouraged and cooperation with the services offered by non-governmental organisations should be increased.
• Health-based taxation, such as a ”sugar tax”, should be increased.
• The age limit for nicotine products should be increased to 20 years

3. A comprehensively sustainable economy serves well-being

We need to reform the way we look at the economy. It consists of more than the budgets of countries or companies. For example, work done at home, raising children or taking care of relatives are part of the overall economy and their value must be made more visible.

We have to change the economy and working life so that they serve ecological and social sustainability. A prerequisite for a sustainable economy is moving from the production and consumption of objects or goods to intangible services and experiences. In terms of sustainable lifestyles, it is essential to reduce consumption and instead focus on increasing the quality of life and free time.

Doing work that is meaningful to you is one way to increase well-being. It increases the experience of inclusion and orders our everyday life, and is necessary for both our personal finances and the national economy. Fitting in work with the rest of life must be made easier. Equality in working life supports a sustainable economy.

• Incentives must be created for working while retired, and people should be able to work past the retirement age of 68 if they so wish.
• Those in permanent employment must have the right to work part-time. In the next government term, trials of a 4-day working week should be started.
• The equal employment rights of those capable of partial work need to be supported by developing new types of work tasks and supporting employers in the better remuneration of those capable of part time work.

4. Sustainable well-being is created through education, civilization and culture

Culture and art in their various forms should be more accessible to everyone throughout life. Sufficient livelihood opportunities must also be ensured in these fields.

Education and research are investments in the future, and their funding must continue to be increased. Learning gaps must be narrowed by supporting children’s learning readiness from kindergarten onwards and by continuing the possibility of remedial teaching also in secondary education according to the students’ needs. First-time quotas for higher education institutions should be removed. A young person doesn’t need to immediately know what they want to do when they grow up!

• The introduction of basic income must be promoted, especially for culture, small entrepreneurs, students and those with difficulties finding employment. In the next government term, basic income should be trialled for these groups.
• The long-term action plan for restoring the prestige of education, i.e. increasing funding to obtain personnel, must be continued.
• Increase the study allowance by €100 a month.
• The share of funding for research and development activities must be increased to 4 percent of gross national product.

LET’S DO THIS TOGETHER!

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