Finnish Coalition Wins Policies Vote
Finland’s four-party coalition government survived a confidence vote on its social and economic policies Friday, a parliamentary spokesman said.
Three opposition parties united to call the vote over the government’s plans for a tax reform which would reduce next year the top rate of income tax to 44% from 51%. They said the measure was designed to benefit the wealthy.
The parties also said the government, made up mainly of the Conservative and Social Democratic parties, had failed to provide sufficient, affordable housing.
Prime Minister Harri Holkeri accused the opposition of calling the vote to gain publicity ahead of municipal elections on Oct. 16 and 17.
The government, which holds 131 seats in the 200-seat parliament, won the vote by 123 votes to 64.
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