Newsweek in plain Finnish | Sunday 15.2.2026

Kaisa Juuso. Sanni Grahn-Laasonen. Munich Security Conference. Asko and Sotka. Winter holidays.

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You can read the news simultaneously below.

First, news about politics.

This week there was two news about government ministers.

The first ministerial news was that Minister of Social Affairs and Health Kaisa Juuso would resign from her ministerial position.

Juuso says that the minister’s work has been hard and that he has had to make difficult decisions.

The government has made many savings in social and health services during Juuso’s term as minister.

Kaisa Juuso is a member of parliament and minister for the Finns Fundamental Rights Party.

Juuso announced his resignation as minister on Thursday. He immediately went on sick leave.

The Finns Party will elect a new minister to replace Juuso in the government next week.

Kaisa Juuso speaks at a press conference.

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Minister of Social Affairs and Health Kaisa Juuso resigned from her ministerial position. Photo: Petteri Sopanen / Yle

The second ministerial news of the week came from the National Coalition Party.

On Friday, Coalition Party Minister Sanni Grahn-Laasonen announced that she will be taking family leave in the fall because she is having a baby.

Grahn-Laasonen is the Minister of Social Security in the government. She will be away this autumn and will return as minister in January.

The National Coalition Party will choose a replacement for Grahn-Laasonen in the autumn.

![Minister Sanni Grahn-Laasonen.](https://images.cdn.yle.fi/image/upload/c_crop,h_3078,w_5472,x_0,y_0/ar_1.777777777777 7777,c_fill,g_faces,h_431,w_767/dpr_1.0/q_auto:eco/f_auto/fl_lossy/v1729082858/39-118260065200379bf376)

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Minister of Social Security Sanni Grahn-Laasonen will take family leave in the autumn. Photo: Markku Pitkänen / Yle

Munich Security Conference

The Munich Security Conference was held in Germany this weekend.

It is a major meeting that brings together world leaders and experts to discuss security.

Europe was nervous about what the US would say to Europe.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio gave a speech that was conciliatory and calm.

Although Rubio’s speech was conciliatory, he also had demands for Europe.

Rubio said that Europe must take more responsibility for defense.

Rubio also criticized Europe’s immigration and climate policies.

![Marco Rubio i en mörkgrå kostym och lila slips står vid ett talarpodium och pratar. I hakkuren syns logon "MSC" I don’t wall.](https://images.cdn.yle.fi/image/upload/c_crop,h_2703,w_4806,x_1098,y_296/ar_1.777777777777777 7,c_fill,g_faces,h_431,w_767/dpr_1.0/q_auto:eco/f_auto/fl_lossy/v1771058356/39-1597708699034681aa32)

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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke at the Munich Security Conference. Photo: Kay Nietfeld / AOP

Asko and Sotka

Furniture stores Asko and Sotka were closed this week.

The reason is bankruptcy, i.e. running out of money.

Asko and Sotka are owned by a company called Indoor Group. It is no longer able to operate due to financial difficulties.

Bankruptcy is a bad thing for Asko and Sotka customers.

Many Finns have ordered and paid for furniture that is shipped from the factory.

Due to the bankruptcy, not all customers may receive this furniture.

It may also be that the bankruptcy estate does not have enough money to repay the payments.

It may take a long time to resolve the situation.

The gate of the Asko and Sotka store is closed, but there is a bankruptcy sale advertised on the wall.

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Asko and Sotka ceased operations due to bankruptcy. Photo: Jarno Kajova / Yle

Winter holidays

Finally, news about the winter holidays.

Winter holidays for school children in Finland begin on Monday. That’s why many adults are also on vacation.

For example, ski resorts and spas are busy for about three weeks.

The winter holidays will begin first in schools in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area and, for example, in Turku and Pori.

This was a news week in plain Finnish. See you again, let’s hear from you!