Only three in ten Finns have confidence in their government

Trust in Petteri Orpo’s government is declining among Finns, according to a survey by the Finnish Business and Policy Forum EVA, while a majority of the population continues to have high confidence in the country’s defense forces.

Only 29% of Finnish citizens have confidence in the government, according to the survey, and more than half, 54%, say their confidence is low, which is a sharp drop compared to 2021 when a majority of the population expressed confidence in the government.

Confidence in President Alexander Stubb, who took office this year, is also low compared to his predecessor Sauli Niinistö.

Furthermore, 86% of Finns have high confidence in the country’s defense forces, making it the country’s most trusted institution. The police enjoy the trust of 82% of the population, while the judiciary has the support of 71%. In addition, more than six out of ten Finns have confidence in both university researchers and the NATO military alliance.

“Are worried”

Many Finns also have a gloomy view of the future, according to the survey. A large proportion believe that polarization in society will increase, that the health care system will deteriorate and that industrial relations will weaken.

According to Sami Metelinen, editor-in-chief of EVA, the negative view of the future is partly linked to the low level of trust in the government.

– Finns are worried that the economic difficulties will persist, and they are not entirely convinced that the government will succeed in achieving its central goals, such as reducing debt, Metelinen is quoted as saying by Finnish state broadcaster Yle.