In Finland, the opposition is expressing significant concern over the statements made by the National Coalition Party regarding the resolution of problems associated with parental leave and pregnancy discrimination. Opposition parliamentarian Elisa Gebhard condemned the party’s remarks as hypocritical, highlighting a contradiction between their advocacy for zero tolerance towards pregnancy discrimination and the party’s support for easing the terms of fixed-term employment contracts, which could increase the risk of discrimination. This critique underscores the tensions in the Finnish political landscape regarding gender equality in the workplace.

Additionally, Niina Malm, the second deputy chair of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), echoed Gebhard's sentiments, characterizing the Coalition Party's assertions as shocking, particularly calling it deceptive rhetoric directed at women. She stresses that the increased prevalence of temporary employment contracts leads to greater uncertainty and inequality in pay, emphasizes the disproportionate impacts on the distribution of parental leave costs, and poses challenges regarding returning to work and career development. Such developments may also potentially discourage family formation, thereby influencing demographic trends within Finland.

This back-and-forth highlights the ongoing debate within Finnish politics about how best to address issues related to gender equality, labor rights, and family support policies. The responses from the opposition indicate a significant disconnect between the government's narrative and their perspectives on the implications effecting Finnish families and women's rights in the workforce.