Newsweek in plain Finnish | Sunday 21.6.2026

National Coalition Women. Sofia Virta. Return Centers. Midsummer.

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Coalition Women

Photo collage of the women of the National Coalition Party.

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Yle asked many women in the National Coalition Party why women’s interest in the National Coalition Party is decreasing. Photo: Photo collage: Maiju Hakalahti / Yle. Photos: Mikko Kilpinen / Yle, Seppo Ahava / Yle, Antti Lähteenmäki / Yle, Mårten Lampén / Yle, Jani Saikko / Yle.

Politics first.

Women support the National Coalition Party less than before. This is what opinion polls show.

Yle investigated the reasons for the decrease in female supporters and interviewed the party’s own women.

The women of the National Coalition Party gave two reasons.

The first reason is the government’s austerity measures. They have made life difficult for many families with children.

Another reason is that women throughout Finland are becoming more left-wing, meaning that the National Coalition Party is suitable for fewer women than before.

The women in the National Coalition Party still say that the party should not change its policies just to get more votes from women.

Greens’ Sofia Virta

Sofia Virta in front of the cameras, serious.

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Green Party leader Sofia Virta returned from filming a reality TV show this week. Photo: Rinna Härkönen / Yle

Now another piece of news about domestic politics.

Green Party leader and MP Sofia Virta participated in the filming of the reality TV show Special Forces.

He was absent from Parliament’s work due to filming, but still received a salary from Parliament.

Many politicians have criticized Virta.

The Speaker of the Parliament Jussi Halla-aho says that there is a problem if an MP is busy with TV work and cannot come to Parliament.

Virta says he wants to return the Parliament’s fee for the filming days.

However, it is difficult to return the reward because it is exceptional.

EU return centres

Voting in the plenary session of the European Parliament.

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The EU Parliament approved a new law on immigration. Photo: Alain Rolland / European Union

Now news about Europe and immigration.

The EU Parliament approved a new law on immigration this week.

The new law allows EU countries to establish return centers outside Europe.

People who are not granted asylum in EU countries can be sent to the centers.

19 EU countries are already demanding in a joint letter that the centers be established quickly.

Finland did not sign the joint letter of the EU countries.

However, Finland is considering establishing a return center together with other Nordic countries.

Midsummer

Audience at the festival, Robin on stage and the words Raumanmeri Midsummer at the top of the stage.

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The Raumanmeri Midsummer was held last year, but it was not held this year. Photo: Päivi Meritähti / Yle

Midsummer was celebrated in Finland over the weekend.

The Midsummer weather has been beautiful and warm throughout the country.

Serious accidents have also occurred during Midsummer.

At least 7 people died on Friday, Midsummer Eve.

Three people drowned, and the others died in accidents or due to violence.

Accident data for the entire Midsummer period will be available later next week.

This year, there were historically few Midsummer festivals in Finland. For example, the famous Raumanmeri Midsummer was completely canceled this year.

Many major music festivals were on hiatus because people have less money than before due to the poor economic situation.

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