The distribution obligation is one of the most difficult issues in the government negotiations, according to the board member Petteri Orpo (kok).
“The distribution obligation is a very challenging issue, which is probably one of the most difficult issues to be resolved in the negotiations here,” Orpo said at his press conference earlier in the evening.
Because of that, Orpo does not like to open the positions of the coalition or the other negotiating parties on the matter.
The purpose of the obligation is to promote the use of renewable fuels to replace motor gasoline, diesel oil and natural gas in traffic. The distribution obligation was temporarily reduced from 21 percent to 13.5 percent for this year. If the law is not changed, it will rise to 28 percent next year.
Orpo stated today that fuel prices will rise if nothing is done. Last week, he described that the previous government put the brakes on the distribution obligation so that it would now raise fuel prices “very significantly”.
At the same time, the basic starting point in the government negotiations is to stick to the climate goals, but the competitiveness and purchasing power of homes should not weaken either. In other words, according to Orpo, everyday costs should not rise unreasonably.
“We are trying to solve it.”
Orpo previously said that the distribution obligation will be considered in the sixth reform table, i.e. the Clean Energy Finland table. It is chaired by the association Kai Mykkänen.
According to Orpo, Finland’s goal of carbon neutrality in 2035 will not be canceled and work towards it will continue in Finland. The goal is recorded in the Climate Act.
Development cooperation is going to be cut
In particular, the Basic Finns have highlighted the cutting of development cooperation funds. Former chairman of the Basic Finns Jussi Halla-aho and MP City Tavio repeated this morning that development cooperation must also be cut. Last Tuesday, Halla-aho said that Perussuomalaiset will push for the largest possible cuts to development cooperation funds in government negotiations. However, RKP quickly canceled the large cuts.
The speeches quickly raised a wide range of objections and all the bishops of Finland also reacted.
Now Orpo confirms that development cooperation will also be reviewed.
“It’s actually clear that it will be reduced, but how much, with what timing and how, that’s the question on the table in the negotiations. It’s also one of the topics that is being talked about the most at the moment and trying to find a balance between the parties.”