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Finland Boosts Defence Spending, Cuts Services Amid Poor Polls

4/24/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said the defence budget will first fund recruitment, drone defence and explosives.
Finland will raise defence spending to 3.2% of GDP by 2030, fund it by cutting healthcare and social services, and narrow a 4.4%-4.3% GDP budget gap to meet the EU’s 3% deficit target by 2028.
A Verian poll found two-thirds of respondents rate the government’s performance as poor ahead of the 2027 election.

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Story summary

Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said the defence budget will first fund recruitment, drone defence and explosives.
Finland will raise defence spending to 3.2% of GDP by 2030, fund it by cutting healthcare and social services, and narrow a 4.4%-4.3% GDP budget gap to meet the EU’s 3% deficit target by 2028.
A Verian poll found two-thirds of respondents rate the government’s performance as poor ahead of the 2027 election.