On Wednesday 23 May, the European Commission issued its proposal for country-specific rec-ommendations for Finland and the other EU Member States. In addition, the Commission again gave an assessment of Finland’s general government finances.

In the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI 2018) published by the European Union, Finland ranks top in the section on digital public services. Finland is also among the top three in the overall index. The index compares all 28 EU Member States across five different subject areas.

Under the current tax treaty, pensions paid to residents of Spain are only taxed in Finland in the case of pensions obtained from public service. The new tax treaty will broaden Finland’s right to levy taxes, as it will also allow the taxation of all other pensions paid from Finland to residents of Spain.

The aim of the regional government, health and social services reform is to guarantee equal services and reduce inequality throughout the country, reminds the ministerial working group on reforms in its joint opinion.

The main proposals concern the remuneration of management in listed companies and the right of listed companies to obtain information on shareholders. The proposals relate to Finland’s national transposition of the EU directive covering these matters. The Ministry of Finance circulated its working group’s proposals for consultation on Monday 16 April.