Finland credit rating at risk

Finland came a step closer to losing its top credit grade at Fitch Ratings as divisions within the government led to a failure to stem the growth of public debt.

The outlook on the northernmost euro member’s long-term AAA rating was reduced to negative from stable, the rating company said in a statement on Friday. While the statement affirmed the top rating, slow economic growth and mounting debt could lead to a cut, Fitch said.

Finland’s government has allowed public debt to double since 2008 as economic growth proved elusive. It’s also missed all its key economic goals over the past four years and this month oversaw the collapse of a key healthcare overhaul.