Finnish government prepares law for expropriation of Helsinki Arena

The Finnish government is preparing to enact a separate law to facilitate the expropriation of the Helsinki Arena. According to Helsingin Sanomat, a budgetary meeting in August allocated €200,000 to ensure the arena’s expropriation. This funding is intended for the drafting of a specific law that would allow for the expropriation process to proceed. The Ministry of Justice will oversee the preparation of this legislation, requiring additional resources for its development.

Jukka-Pekka Ujula, the head of the Helsinki city administration, confirmed to Yle that the city is aware of the government’s expressed desire to create this separate law. “The preparation of this issue is welcome from the city’s perspective,” Ujula stated. He emphasized that the goal of utilizing the arena is a shared priority. The Helsinki Arena has remained unused for over two years due to sanctions against Russia.

However, the city is simultaneously advancing its own initiatives, even as the national government prepares to legislate for the expropriation. The city plans to acquire the arena if negotiations for its purchase do not progress by October. The city continues to prioritize a voluntary sale of the arena. To date, Russian owners have not agreed to any voluntary sale with the city.