The opposition party, the Center, challenged the government during question time in the parliament on Thursday, why the government wants to introduce the EU traffic emissions trading, which increases the price of gasoline and diesel, ahead of time.
“Finland moves around on rubber bikes, both children for hobbies and the elderly for services. The coalition once had such a nice election slogan: ‘The cars belong to you’. Now, however, something quite strange is being heard from the government. The government wants to implement the EU transport emissions trading system from 2027, in the 2030s it would be mandatory to implement this emissions trading system”, chairman of the center parliamentary group Antti Kurvinen amazed.
“The government has estimated that this emissions trading will increase the price of diesel and gasoline by one euro. I remember from the election that the Basic Finns said that we will get euro gasoline this election period. Now you are raising the price of gasoline with a euro. This will be a cost of billions for the entire Finnish national economy, and I now ask Finance Minister Purra: why are you making such a cost bomb for Finnish motorists and the entire business world?” Kurvinen continued.
Purra blamed the previous government
Finance minister Riikka Purra (ps) says that he thought that he would have already reached the bottom during the question hour, but according to him, he only got there now. Purra reminded that the previous SDP and the center lived Marina–Saarikon-government visited the European Union to confirm emissions trading, and it remains for the current government to put it into practice.
According to Purra, there are two options. The fact that the emissions trading will be introduced in 2027 or a few years later. The result is the same and costs are incurred.
“On the other hand, this government is ready to moderate the costs of motorists and has done so”.
Purra mentions the introduction of commercial diesel, the reduction of the fuel tax and the rationalization of the distribution obligation.
Basic Finns have attacked the center with force on social media in the fuel issue.
“The center blames the sitting government for a decision that it itself committed Finland to in the last election period. We are here because the Marinin-Saariko government wanted it that way. The current government, on the other hand, has reduced the costs of driving by its own actions. In short: the stick always fails,” the party says in the message service X.
“Is this some kind of gas fraud?”
Also chairman of the parliamentary transport committee Jouni Ovaska (center) participated in the discussion during question time on Thursday.
“Commercial car drivers have wondered why you are introducing emissions trading in 2027. We at least got some kind of answer, but I don’t know, at least they don’t fully understand it,” Ovaska said.
According to Ovaska, the distribution obligation will increase in the coming years and the emissions trading system will come into effect, and the price of gasoline and diesel “may rise by as much as a euro”.
“Is this the kind of gas fraud that will happen in 2027 or 2028 when this government ends?” Ovaska asked.
“That’s the kind of person you’ve been to Brussels to acknowledge,” Purra replied.
According to Purra, the effects of emissions trading will possibly be compensated.
Essayah reminded about compensation
Eerikki Viljanen According to (Kesk), it is not enough for the government to discipline Finns who drive cars, but in addition, the government also wants entrepreneurs in agriculture and forestry to pay for its policy.
“Tractors and machines don’t run on electricity. But when the EU demands, it is not enough to answer. You have made this harmful decision all by yourself,” said Viljanen.
According to Viljanen, agriculture and forestry could have been left out of the emissions trading decision.
Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Sari Essayah (kd) reminded that in the EU directive there is a possibility to apply for compensation.
“You can’t refuse the offer”
Chairman of the Treasury Committee Markus Lohi (Central) asked if it was the case that this government had a genuine opportunity to choose whether the emissions trading system would be introduced in 2027 or in 2031.
Minister of the Environment and Climate Kai Mykkänen (kok), the directive is worded in such a way that the offer cannot be refused. According to Mykkänen, it has been made very difficult.
According to Mykkänen, the good thing about the directive is that the price will be the same for Polish, Estonian and Finnish truck drivers.