Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s vacation messages reportedly withheld by VNK

The Finnish Prime Ministerial Office (VNK) is reportedly withholding messages regarding Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s vacation. Unlike the previous administration under Sanna Marin, whose vacation messages were public, Orpo’s communications remain undisclosed.

Orpo did not attend the European Political Community meeting on July 18 but was represented by President Alexander Stubb instead. According to the VNK, this date had been confirmed as a vacation day for Orpo on June 6. The initial vacation calendar, approved on May 23, indicated that Orpo planned to take leave from July 6-17 and July 19-31, while July 18 was scheduled as a workday.

When requested by STT, the VNK did not provide any messages confirming the arrangement for the Prime Minister’s leave on that specific day prior to its approval. The office stated that the notification about the vacation dates was sent via email from Orpo’s administrative assistant and emphasized that the correspondence does not contain information about the grounds for the vacation discussions. According to the VNK, this communication does not classify as an official document under the Public Information Act.

Orpo declined to comment on the matter. From his office, it was noted that the practice of keeping internal communications confidential is a general protocol, with no direct influence from the Prime Minister himself. During Marin’s tenure, messages regarding her vacation amid a so-called “party scandal” were released to the public, discussing the cancellation of her leave on days she attended public events.

Public law professor Tomi Voutilainen from the University of Eastern Finland asserted that these vacation messages should be considered public documents, as they prompt necessary arrangements for a substitute during the Prime Minister’s absence. He argued that while details about the nature of personal vacations could be kept private, any document that would enable such arrangements should be disclosed.