Finnish Coalition Survives Racism Spat That Shook Budget Talks

A racism scandal disrupted budget talks by Finland’s ruling coalition, pushing the fragile four-party government close to collapse before Prime Minister Petteri Orpo defused the crisis.

Coalition officials spent the whole of Monday attempting to rebuild trust instead of hammering out a spending plan for 2026 after disparaging remarks about immigrants by a junior partner caused a furore. The budget negotiations will continue on Tuesday.