Corruption probe shakes Finland: Prime Minister’s family breakfasts

What, in some parts of the world, accustomed to the great scandals of their officials, may seem minor, in Finland is a political earthquake. According to a journalistic investigation, the family of the Prime Minister, Sanna Marin, use public funds to pay for their breakfasts. How much does it cost the Finnish state? According to the latest estimates, around a thousand dollars per month, or just over $ 30 per day.

It all started with an investigation into a Finnish tabloid Ilta-Lehti, who revealed last week that the popular politician would spend around 300 euros per month ($ 367) on breakfast for her family, who live with her in the official residence in Kesäranta. It was three hundred euros of public money. According to his cabinet, the Prime Minister and members of the same household are entitled to breakfast and cold – not hot – meals when they stay in the official residence, managed by the state. A privilege already enjoyed by his predecessors.

Another version, based on article 6 of the ministerial law on remuneration, grants the head of the Finnish government the use of “an apartment in a state house, the maintenance, heating, lighting, furniture and necessary staff of which are paid for from public funds”, but nothing is said about breakfast. In addition, former prime ministers, most of whom did not live in Kesäranta, the official residence of heads of government, were only offered breakfast on an exceptional basis. So a breakfast every day, for the whole family … for some, it’s an abuse.

Following the discovery of the scandal, the newspaper published an article last Sunday with new information indicating that the expenditure actually amounted to 850 euros per month (1040 USD), almost three times what he had originally calculated.

This was confirmed in a government statement Monday evening, which reported that between January 2020 and May 2021, the Prime Minister had spent 14,363.20 euros on food at his official residence, or about 845 euros per month.

“This amount includes both breakfast items and other cold meals,” the statement added.

Marin said he believed he was following the rules as explained to him when he took office in 2019.

“I had no idea that there was a lack of clarity on the distribution of breakfast.He told the national channel YLE on Monday morning. He noted that many previous prime ministers had also used it, but assured that the rules would be revised and, if necessary, updated.

Friday, Helsinki police said they decided to look into the case to see if there had been any wrongdoing.

Finnish transparency and exemplarity

These types of cases appear regularly and are very revealing of the sense of transparency and the exemplary character which characterizes the Nordic countries. In Finland, they don’t joke about these things, not even the breakfasts you eat at your workplace. So Sanna Marin has already announced that she will now pay for all her meals, but that does not prevent a preliminary investigation from being launched.

Municipal elections are due in two weeks, and opponents have found a way to attack it. Of course, this will not cause a government crisis, but it must be remembered that a few years ago a Swedish minister had to resign for using her business credit card to pay for a bar of chocolate.

With information from RFI and Politico

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