Audit office investigates Helsinki Garden lobbying

Finland's National Audit Office (VTV) has opened an investigation into whether the company behind the Helsinki Garden arena failed to comply with lobbying transparency rules before securing a conditional €35 million state investment grant. The inquiry focuses on Projekti GH Oy, the company developing the planned multi-purpose arena next to Helsinki Ice Hall. The watchdog said it will examine whether the company's lobbying activity should have been reported to Finland's transparency register, which requires organisations engaged in sustained lobbying of parliament or government ministries to disclose their contacts.