Jyrki Katainen (NCP), the Finnish prime minister, told the Finnish News Agency (STT) that the government would have to take "unpalatable" fiscal policy decisions next year.

"It is appropriate to promise that we will spare no effort to take decisions that are essential in order to defend Finnish welfare society," Katainen said.

Katainen's government aims to cut spending and raise taxes in order to reduce borrowing.

Jukka Gustafsson (SDP), the Finnish education minister, was quoted as saying by regional daily Aamulehti on Thursday that he would task a working group with looking into differential school funding, adding disadvantaged schools like those in areas with high unemployment rates should receive extra government cash.

"Differences between schools have grown in the 2000s," Gustafsson was quoted as saying.

Four out of five Finns told a poll by the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities published on Wednesday that they intend to vote in the October municipal elections.

Despite advance enthusiasm, the turnout in the municipal elections is likely to be somewhat lower. The turnout in the previous municipal elections in 2008 stood at 61 per cent.

According to the survey, highly educated Finns, those in leadership roles and those over 60-year-old are most likely to vote in the elections.

STT

Sauli Niinistö (NCP) is to take a clear lead over whoever faces him in the second round of the Finnish presidential elections, according to the results of an opinion poll published by Finnish Swedish-language daily Hufvudstadsbladet on Wednesday.

According to the poll, around four out of five Finns would vote for Niinistö, regardless of who stands against him in the second round.

Finland's centre-right National Coalition party-led six-party coalition on Wednesday won a vote of confidence, 118 to 71 against, over next year's budget.

The Finns party and the Centre party had filed the interpellation.

Parliament started its six-week Christmas recess on Wednesday.

STT

Finnish opposition to full membership in Nato has risen to about 68 per cent, a high not seen since the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, national daily Helsingin Sanomat quoted a poll as indicating on Wednesday.

The paper added that some 16 per cent of respondents wanted Finland to join the military alliance as a full-fledged member.

Commissioned by the paper, market research company Taylor Nelson Sofres interviewed about 1,000 people this month. The margin of error was stated as three percentage points.

STT

Finnish Youth Cooperation (Allianssi) on Monday quoted a poll as indicating that some 33 per cent of young people intended to vote for Sauli Niinistö, the National Coalition party candidate, in the first round of January's presidential election.

Pekka Haavisto, the Green League candidate, came second with 12 per cent, followed by the Finns party's Timo Soini with eight per cent and Paavo Lipponen of the Social Democratic party with five per cent.

Commissioned by the youth lobby, market research company Taylor Nelson Sofres interviewed about 1,000 people aged between 18 and 29. The margin of error was stated as three percentage points.

STT