Finnish PM Chooses Family Time Over Summit

Finland's Prime Minister Petteri Orpo has found himself at the center of controversy following his decision to prioritize family time over political duties this summer. The backlash began after he opted to skip the European Political Community summit on July 18 in the U.K., a move that drew sharp criticism from rival politicians. Orpo, representing the center-right National Coalition Party, defended his choice during a press conference, stating, “I put my family first,” and emphasized that he would make the same decision again. In his absence, Finnish President Alexander Stubb attended the summit, where he was warmly received by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. However, opposition MPs from the Social Democratic Party labeled Stubb’s participation as a “peculiar anomaly,” arguing that it contradicted Finland's constitutional norms, which typically see the prime minister representing the country at such events. Critics expressed concern over the lack of immediate communication regarding Orpo's absence, with Social Democratic member Tytti Tuppurainen questioning the transparency of the situation. Orpo responded to the criticism by asserting that Stubb's attendance was pre-arranged with officials and meeting organizers, dismissing claims of a constitutional breach. He also addressed the delay in disclosing his reasons for missing the summit, explaining that he believed mentioning “family reasons” would suffice. Despite the political fallout, Orpo remains resolute in his commitment to family priorities.