Finland's papers carry the news on Wednesday morning that the government has reached agreement on the proposed state budget for the last two years of its term in office.
Helsingin Sanomat writes that the government wants to stimulate economic growth and improve the "gloomy" unemployment situation with its measures, as Prime Minister Petteri Orpo (NCP) told Tuesday's late-evening press conference that there are reasons to be hopeful.
"In manufacturing, order books have been filling up faster than a year ago. Investments have picked up. Taxation has been eased, wages have risen, interest rates are low and the rise in prices has levelled off," Orpo said.
Despite these apparent green shoots, HS notes that the budget proposal represents more belt-tightening from a government that came to power on the promise of steadying Finland's fiscal ship.
One billion euros' worth of belt-tightening, in fact, with the majority of cuts and savings coming into effect in 2027.
The rest of HS's article contains a laundry list of the government's measures, which include a significant cut to state-guaranteed loans that have been used to incentivise the construction of affordable housing, as well as reductions in business subsidies and funding for integration.
The two days of negotiations were however largely overshadowed by a "serious discussion" within the government over what is, and is not, appropriate language for a minister or MP to use in public — in particular when speaking about immigrants.
This follows controversial comments by Finns Party MP Teemu Keskisarja last week in which he said "low quality" immigrants are turning Finland "into a developing country, a pigsty and a massacre".
In a separate analysis piece, HS wonders if the row could be described as a "crisis" for the government, but ultimately settles on the more prosaic "serious situation".
PM Orpo and Finns Party leader and Finance Minister Riikka Purra announced on Monday evening that they had reached an agreement on the "rules of the game" for how immigration will be discussed in future by members of the government, appearing to draw something of a line under the controversy.
But HS wonders if that is indeed the end of the matter.
"As the governmental term draws to a close and support for the Finns Party wanes, there will likely be more serious situations," HS concludes.
Boots on the ground
Tabloid Ilta-Sanomat meanwhile warns its readers to be aware of a "rare event" in the centre of Helsinki on Wednesday night, as the 'Lively Stronghold 25' local defence exercise will see many roads closed off around Senate Square.
IS writes that the Finnish Defence Forces (FDF) drill, led by the Guard Jaeger Regiment, involves troops specialised in urban warfare training in the defence of Helsinki and the wider Uusimaa region.
"The aim is to cause as little inconvenience to city residents as possible, but it's worth planning for more time to get around if you're out and about," the regiment advises people in a post on social media platform X.
The exercise represents a significant training operation, IS notes, as it will also involve Helsinki police, rescue services, the coast guard, as well as troops from three separate FDF brigades.
Finnair ranked last in a consumer index of European airlines during the summer, so All Points North looked into what's happening at Finland's flag carrier. Listen to the episode via this embedded player, on Yle Areena, via Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
Hopes at the hoop
Finland is one of the host nations of this year's European basketball championships, and the sports pages are full of cautious optimism ahead of Wednesday evening's group game against reigning world champions Germany at the Nokia Arena in Tampere.
Finland's "wolf pack" currently sit in third place in Group B, and Iltalehti writes that they need to bounce back from the disappointment of defeat at the hands of Lithuania on Monday if they are to secure a decent draw in the Round of 16.
"The best thing is that there was a lot of room for improvement," coach Mikael Jantunen tells IL about the performance against Lithuania.
Mathematically, IL adds, Finland could still top the group — but they are more realistically likely to finish third and would then face either Serbia or Turkey.
