Heinäluoma and Koskinen join SDP leadership race, Tuomioja still considering decision

Eero Heinäluoma

Johannes Koskinen

print this

Social Democratic Party Secretary Eero Heinäluoma and Minister of Justice Johannes Koskinen have said that they will seek to replace Paavo Lipponen as Chairman of the Social Democratic Party. Lipponen, the Speaker of Parliament, announced last week that he would leave the post in June when the SDP holds its Party Congress.
      Two other Social Democrats - Education Minister Tuula Haatainen and MP Arja Alho - have said that they will seek the post, while the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Erkki Tuomioja, says that he is still considering a run for the party's leadership.
     
Heinäluoma, who has been seen the favourite to succeed Lipponen, said on Thursday that he is entering the race with a "humble mind".
      Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, he emphasised the importance of skills and courage to set new goals. He also said that social democracy should continue to be a "movement for renewal in society".
      He came out in favour of politics that has "the everyday lives of people" as its starting point. He also emphasised tripartite labour market cooperation, involving the government, employers, and trade unions. He said that the party should promote caring for the weak, and "environmental protection in the form of the Kyoto Climate Treaty".
     
Justice Minister Koskinen revealed his intention to seek the SDP leadership in an interview on Friday morning with the Finnish News Agency STT.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Kalliomäki endorses Heinäluoma as Social Democratic Party leader (11.3.2005)
  Paavo Lipponen to quit Social Democratic Party leadership post in June (10.3.2005)

Helsingin Sanomat