Sámi Parliament faces budget cuts exceeding half a million euros in Finland

Minister of Justice Leena Meri believes that the Sámi Parliament can manage all its legal responsibilities despite a budget cut exceeding half a million euros for the next year. According to the proposed state budget for 2025, the Sámi Parliament will lose €568,000 from its funding designated for cultural self-governance.

Meri stated that discussions among officials indicate that the Sámi Parliament’s legal operations can still be secured, but adjustments to operations will be necessary, as is the case across various sectors. The Ministry of Justice will allocate a total of €4.4 million for cultural self-governance in next year’s budget. The Justice Ministry’s contribution is significant in the Sámi Parliament’s overall budget of approximately €10 million.

The proposed budget also includes €10.9 million in grant funding for various initiatives, with the main recipients being the Sámi Parliament and victim support services. Previously, grants from the Justice Ministry amounted to €14.1 million, but due to the deteriorating economic situation, this amount will be cut by €3.5 million. Meri noted that the reductions to the Sámi Parliament’s grants and victim support services will be less than for many other areas.

Sámi Parliament Chair Pirita Näkkäläjärvi expressed deep disappointment in the proposed budget cuts, emphasizing their significant impact on the Parliament’s operations and concerns over fulfilling legally mandated tasks. Funding for cultural self-governance covers meeting expenses and participation in negotiations, and cuts may affect personnel wages within preparatory roles and administration.

In preparation for the upcoming cuts, the Sámi Parliament’s administration has already started adapting operations. This week, the leadership will travel to Helsinki to meet with parliamentary groups, politicians, and Prime Minister Petteri Orpo in an effort to influence next year’s funding. Minister Meri reminded that the final decision on the budget lies with the Parliament, noting that increases in one funding area would necessitate cuts from another unless the Justice Ministry’s budget is raised, which appears unlikely given the current economic climate. The budget discussion is scheduled for September 3 and 4. The parliamentary finance committee will discuss the proposed budget on September 23.