Justice Minister Leena Meri believes that the Sámi Parliament will be able to perform all its statutory duties, even though more than half a million euros will be cut from the Sámi Parliament 's budget next year. According to the state's 2025 budget proposal, the Sámi assemblies will lose 568,000 euros from their funding intended for cultural self-government.
- In the discussions, the official assessment has been that the statutory operation of the Sámi assemblies can still be secured, but there too we have to adapt the operation as we have to everywhere now, says Meri.
The funding for cultural self-government is granted by the Ministry of Justice, and 4.4 million euros are allocated to it in next year's budget. The part financed by the Ministry of Justice is large in the Sámi Parliament's budget of around 10 million euros.
According to the 2025 budget proposal, the Ministry of Justice grants a total of 10.9 million euros in aid allocations for various activities. Its biggest recipients are Sámi Parliament and crime victim emergency services. Until now, the Ministry of Justice's aid allocations have been 14.1 million euros, but now 3.5 million euros will be cut from the amount due to the poor state of the state finances.
- Grants for Sámi assemblies and crime victim emergency services will be cut percentage-wise less than many others, says Meri.
The chairman of the Sámi assemblies, Pirita Näkkäläjärvi, is very disappointed with the state budget proposal, because the cuts greatly affect the operations of the Sámi Parliament. The chairman has been particularly concerned about how the Sámi Parliament will be able to carry out the tasks defined in the law.
The money intended for cultural self-administration is used to pay, among other things, meeting expenses, negotiations and participation in working groups. The savings can also affect the personnel, because the money is used to pay the salaries of preparatory officials, board case handlers and administrative employees. Savings can also have an impact on the operation and administration of the language association that maintains the Sami language.
The administration of the Sámi assemblies has already started preparing for adjustment measures due to savings in the spring. The presidium of the Sámi parliament traveled to Helsinki to meet parliamentary groups, politicians and Prime Minister Petteri Orpo. According to Näkkäläjärvi, the purpose is to still try to influence the funding of the Sámi Parliament next year.
Justice Minister Leena Meri reminds that the parliament has the last word on next year's budget.
- It must be remembered that if additions are made to another aid item, it should be cut from the other activity unless allocations are increased for the Ministry of Justice, and that is not likely in this state's overall economic situation.
The state budget debate will take place on September 3 and 4. The state budget proposal will be discussed in the economic committee and in the joint meeting of the Government on September 23.
In contrast to the cuts in social sector spending, Finland's military budget will increase significantly in 2025, a total of 6,3 billion euros, including €2.7 billion for the purchase of American F-35 fighter jets and €221 million for military aid to Ukraine.
The Arctic Century recently commented on Finland’s draft state budget for 2025.
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