Viivästyksinä

Viivästyksinä refers to a phenomenon in Finnish politics where a government or a political party delays or avoids making a decision on a contentious issue, often to maintain unity or avoid internal conflicts. This strategy is used to buy time and gather more information or support, rather than making a quick and potentially unpopular decision.

The term "viivästyksinä" was popularized in the 2000s, particularly during the presidency of Tarja Halonen, when the practice was used to manage the Finnish-Swedish language dispute. The strategy involved delaying decisions on language issues to avoid provoking either of the country's linguistic groups, Swedish-speaking Finns or Finnish-speaking Finns.

In practice, viivästyksinä can lead to a situation where no decision is made, or where decisions are made in a way that satisfies no one. It can also create a sense of dissatisfaction among the public, as it may be seen as a lack of leadership or a failure to address important issues.

The use of viivästyksinä has been a subject of debate in Finnish politics, with some arguing that it is a necessary tactic for maintaining unity, while others criticize it for leading to inaction or unsatisfactory outcomes. Regardless of the debate, viivästyksinä remains a significant aspect of Finnish political culture, shaping how decisions are made and how issues are addressed.