A discussion on the economy, trust, and local growth was the focus in Hanko
Antti Lindtman, chair of the SDP and a member of Parliament, visited Hanko on Monday together with MPJohan Kvarnströmand Hanko’s own parliamentary candidate,Sami Laine. The sunny spring day drew Hanko residents to Café Stranden to discuss current issues.
The main topic of discussion at the event was the Orpo government’s economic policy, but the conversation did not stop at merely assessing the current situation—the focus was firmly on how to turn Finland’s course around.
Lindtman criticized the government's economic policy and stated that things had been heading in the wrong direction.
– Debt has been rising faster and unemployment is on the rise, even though the goal was the opposite. If employment had developed as it has elsewhere in Europe, public finances would now be billions stronger, he said.
According to him, the main problem is a lack of trust.
“When people are afraid to spend, the economy doesn’t get moving. Confidence is the most important currency in the economy,” Lindtman emphasized.
He called for a policy that puts “ordinary Finns” at the center and balances public finances in a fair manner.
Kvarnström also highlighted specific regional issues. In Western Uusimaa, road safety and infrastructure are key areas for future investment.
“The volume of heavy traffic is increasing, and this is taking its toll on the road network. We need investments to improve traffic safety. The electrification of the Hankora Line and the development of the coastal railway must be taken into account in future scenarios,” he said.
In addition, Kvarnström highlighted social services in Western Uusimaa.
– Even though the statistics may suggest that things are going well, people’s everyday experiences may tell a different story. Access to services and respect for both national languages are key issues of fairness.
Local candidate Sami Laine brought a Hanko perspective to the discussion. According to him, the city has plenty of opportunities for growth, even though the future also holds some uncertainty.
“Good transport links, such as Highway 25 and the port, are clearly among our strengths. At the same time, we need solutions that support Hanko’s current major employers and create better conditions for the establishment of new small and medium-sized enterprises,” he said.
Laine emphasized that small businesses play a key role in improving employment.
– Finland is a country of small businesses: the vast majority of companies have fewer than 10 employees. Yet the barrier to hiring a new employee is often too high, he noted.
According to him, current business subsidies are overly focused on large companies and do not sufficiently support job creation where the potential is greatest. As a solution, Laine proposes an employment model for small businesses, in which companies with fewer than 10 employees would be encouraged to hire unemployed job seekers.
– Under this model, the government would cover payroll taxes and the employee’s taxes for the first year. In practice, the company would only be responsible for paying the net salary. Benefits received by the unemployed applicant, such as unemployment insurance, housing allowance, and income support, would naturally be excluded as expenses, and by using them to cover payroll taxes and taxes, the state’s burden would be virtually eliminated. The goal is to reduce the risk of recruitment and create permanent jobs, Laine explained.
Laine also highlighted social and health services as a matter of principle.
– The discussion can’t revolve solely around budget cuts. We should talk more about how to build well-being. Constantly talking about plans is just a futile evasion; only action brings hope.
The overall tone of the discussion was critical of the current situation, yet at the same time focused on the future. The common message was that it is possible to turn the economy around—but this requires building trust, fair solutions, and investments in growth, including at the local level.
Written by Tipsu Bazouleva and edited by Esa Aarnio