04/06/2019 (Agence Europe) – The leader of the Finnish Social Democratic Party and Prime Minister designate, Antti Rinne, announced on Monday 3 June an agreement on the formation of a centre-left coalition government including the Centre Party, the Greens and the Left Alliance, reported the Bloomberg news agency. Among the measures announced are a €4 billion increase in public spending, which would be financed mainly by €3 billion in transfers of state assets and new tax revenues, the reduction of inequalities, the setting of a balanced budget target of 2023 and a carbon neutrality target of 2035. Finland will take over the six-monthly Presidency of the Council of the EU from 1 July 2019 (see EUROPE 12248/4). (MB)