Sanna Marin's government could collapse, as Sámi human rights laws stalled
Three weeks ago, nobody in the Finnish government was talking about rights for Sámi, the EU's only recognised indigenous people.
Few Finns even knew -- or cared to know -- there were any problems with a stalled piece of human rights legislation.
But now it's a subject that's regularly leading news bulletins, prompting ministers to write editorials in newspapers, sparking discussions on podcasts and gaining international media attention.
It could even be the final straw in bringing down Sanna Marin's government.
The Sámi Parliament Act sets out how the Finnish government interacts with the Sámi Parliament in Inari on matters that affect Sámi people.
Previous attempts to pass an act, after lengthy negotiations, have failed at the Sámi Parliament level but this new version has been sitting ready for the last 18 months.
The Finnish government failed to act on it until a Euronews investigation exposed deep frustration in the Sámi community that nothing was being done, despite a looming procedural deadline in the Finnish parliament.
"I feel a bit disappointed that all of this discussion could have taken place in the span of the four years this law has been included in the government programme," said Petra Laiti, the chairperson of the Saami Youth organisation.
When Finnish Prime Minister Marin said last week she wanted to move the draft law on to parliament for a vote, her coalition partners the Centre Party -- the only one of five government parties who oppose the new act -- asked for more time for discussions. That time was given, and on Sunday the parties talked again, with the Centre Party concluding again they need more time.
Without a breakthrough, that latest extension might run out on Thursday, if Marin decides to take
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