Finland's parliamentary parties have reached a preliminary agreement on balancing the state economy during the next parliamentary term.

Citing its own sources, Helsingin Sanomat reports that a draft report on the topic by the so-called debt brake working group finds that Finland needs to save between 8 and 11 billion euros by 2031.

At the end of November, the European Commission proposed to begin taking disciplinary steps against Finland over its excessive state deficit.

The debt brake, or balanced budget amendment, is a rule aiming to keep government spending in line with revenue while limiting borrowing money and keeping state debt from spiralling out of control.

However, Helsingin Sanomat noted there is a good deal of uncertainty in the calculations, and that the actual sum would likely be updated several times.

In effect, according to the paper, parliamentary parties are in the process of agreeing to a fiscal target of a maximum 2.0-2.5 percent of GDP by the end of the next parliamentary term. HS noted that Yle first reported the target on Thursday.

According to HS, the biggest uncertainty at the moment is whether the opposition Left Alliance will get on board.

It said that next term's fiscal target is due to be finalised at the end of this year, adding that the target may go down if the current government manages to make additional savings this year.

In any case, HS explained, the parties' agreement means that the next government will also have to resort to significant cuts and tax hikes.

Alén slams delivery commissions

Star restaurateur Henri Alén has sharply criticised app-based food delivery firms and how they are impacting the restaurant sector, Swedish-language daily Hufvudstadsbladet reports.

He made the comments on LinkedIn, after learning that the small pizza chain Guido's had declared bankruptcy and closing its restaurants in the capital area's Kauniainen and Tapiola districts.

Alén took particular aim at the delivery giant Wolt, a firm that recently saw its main competitor, Foodora, announce that it is leaving Finland.

Alén echoed the sentiments of Guido's co-owner, Jon Niklas Knut Engblom, who earlier this week characterised Wolt's commissions as "incredibly expensive" for restaurants.

"Our industry is not exactly full of academic geniuses who have studied mathematics. When you mix in a hot tech company, disaster is a fact. If you take a taste of Wolt, you don't dare let go, and you become addicted," Alén's LinkedIn post read.

He acknowledged that delivery apps are convenient and doesn't blame customers for using them.

However, from the perspective of restaurant operators, he thinks the commissions are too high. The paper noted that Guido's was paying the firm 30 percent on each delivered order.

"No restaurateur should sign a contract like that," Alén said in his post.

But he does not think that the market will sort things out. Instead, he pointed to New York City, where city councillors decided to cap platforms' delivery commissions at 23 percent a few years ago.

However, NYC's fee cap appears to have since significantly increased after courier firms pushed back.

After the Covid era, consumer behaviour in Finland changed radically, Alén noted, and now home deliveries are the new normal — something that needs to be accepted.

"But it must be done fairly, so that all parties understand what they're getting into. If more detailed regulation is required, then so be it," Alén said.

Once Foodora stops its operations in Finland next week, and Wolt becomes the main provider of delivery services, the Finnish Hospitality Association (MaRa) interest group will keep a close eye on the food delivery sector, according to HBL.

MaRa's managing director, Timo Lappi, told the paper that there are signs that Wolt may be looking to raise its commissions.

"If it turns out that commissions increase as Wolt gains monopoly status, we will be in contact with the Competition and Consumer Authority (KKV)," Lappi told HBL.

However, it appears the situation is not set in stone just yet.

Soon after Foodora announced it was pulling out of Finland, the Financial Times reported that US food delivery firm Uber Eats is planning to enter the Finnish market this year.

Slick roads as ski holidays end

This week's dry conditions are set to change significantly this weekend, according to Iltalehti.

A large low-pressure system from the west is heading to northern areas of Finland on Friday, bringing snowfall.

The newspaper said that snow and freezing temperatures would affect winter holiday traffic throughout the country, as people make their way back home after the weeklong school winter break.

It said that the situation will also potentially cause slippery conditions for pedestrians.

Lapland won't get a large amount of snow, but drifting snow could worsen driving conditions, particularly on Saturday night, IL said, citing the Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI).

Over the weekend, central areas will see temperatures between -5 and -15 degrees Celsius, while up north it will be -10 to -20 degrees.

Southern areas are expected to see temperatures hovering around the freezing point.

Snow is expected across many parts of the country on Saturday.

Some southern areas could get up to 10 centimeters of snow by Sunday, according to the FMI.