The government has faced intense criticism from opposition parties over proposals to cut the number of municipalities in Finland.

Earlier this month a government panel unveiled the plan to slash the number of local authorities from the current 336 to between 66 and 70. The opposition Centre party reacted by saying it would do everything to derail the proposal.

The cost-cutting plan has already stirred up heated controversy in many smaller municipalities, which are likely to be forced into mergers with neighbouring towns to form new super-municipalities, sparking fears of losses of services.