Prime Minister Petteri Orpo speaks during a plenary session of the Finnish Parliament in Helsinki on 21 July 2026. Parliament exceptionally interrupted its summer recess to convene for a government statement on the funding decision for the Garden Helsinki project. Photo: Roni Rekomaa / Lehtikuva
Finland’s opposition has filed no-confidence motions against Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and his government over the handling of a proposed €35 million state contribution to the Garden Helsinki arena project.
Parliament interrupted its summer recess on Tuesday for an extraordinary session devoted to the funding dispute. The debate is ongoing, with a confidence vote expected later on Tuesday.
The session has continued for hours as opposition MPs accused the government of weak preparation, poor transparency and favouring people linked to the National Coalition Party.
Government parties rejected the claims and said the funding had remained conditional. They also stressed that the state had not transferred money to the project.
