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Espo, Markku
Kymen Sanomat
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2 articles of this author have been cited in the European Press Review so far.
Only Estonia profits from Finland's alcohol tax hikes
In Finland the tax on alcoholic beverages is once again being raised. The daily Kymen Sanomat points out that only Estonia stands to gain anything from this tax hike: "Between January and August this year over 25 percent more alcohol was purchased on trips abroad. The tax is an effective instrument for influencing alcohol consumption. But open borders and changed economic circumstances make its impact less simple than it used to be. Some people drink less when money gets tight, but many simply grab the opportunity to either buy drinks from cheaper sources themselves or get their friends to do it for them. So the gains to be made from the tax increases have above all gone to Estonia, where most of these beverages are purchased. Secure jobs on the ferries and an improvement in Estonia's job market statistics despite the recession are the result."
» full article (external link, Finnish)
More from the press review on the subject » Fiscal Policy, » Health Policy, » Tax Policy, » Social affairs, » Estonia, » Finland
EU rules on financing property purchase must take facts into account
The EU Commission wants to introduce legislation on the financing of property ownership under which the object purchased can serve as security for a mortgage only up to 40 percent instead of 70 percent, as is the case at present. The Finnish daily Kymen Sanomat argues that the EU's idea ignores the facts of life in Finland: "The homes of Finns are small by European standards, but more expensive. The reasons for this lie in the country's historical development, its social structures and living standards. Nature also plays a special role - owing to the climatic conditions construction is more expensive here than further south. For a Finn who wants to improve his housing conditions the only possibility is usually to buy a one-family house or move from a smaller one to a bigger one. For this, the most expensive investment in his lifetime, he often needs a large loan. It's crucial that the home he purchases can count as security for the majority of the loan. He has no other securities or guarantees at his disposal."
» full article (external link, Finnish)
More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » Economic Policy, » Social affairs, » Finland
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