PM Vanhanen to join Presidential race as Centre Party candidate

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Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen (Centre) announced on Saturday that he would run for President in the upcoming elections. Making his announcement to the Uusimaa district organisation of the Centre Party, Vanhanen saw Finland as an ageing country needing reform.
      "Reform requires symbols, an advocate who would encourage Finns to enact reforms for the good of the whole country and all of the people. That is why I am seeking the Presidency."
     
Vanhanen called for new attitudes toward globalisation, employment, and immigration. He also wants to care for the future of "our social world".
      Vanhanen gave a pessimistic view of the current situation of the European Union, and called on Finns to take action to make the EU flourish.
      "Globalisation is a challenge for us, as long as we take the challenges seriously. Otherwise it will be a threat that our systems cannot withstand."
      He also said that preservation of the Finnish social model depends decisively on Finland’s competitive ability.
      The Prime Minister criticised Finnish interest groups for lacking the courage to shake that which is familiar, thinking that people would not be able to accept changes.
      Vanhanen urged greater acceptance of immigration as a way to alleviate the impending labour shortage.
     
Vanhanen was strongly in favour of Finnish participation in EU crisis management activities without a specific mandate from the UN.
      On defence and security policy, Vanhanen repeated the view that NATO membership is a "possibility" for Finland.
     
Commenting on the recent news of his impending divorce, Vanhanen said that the public controversy over his private life has only strengthened his resolve to enter the race. In fact, he said that the events could actually make him an ideal candidate, because the post of Prime Minister allows the people to observe his performance under pressure.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Piqued PM keen to explain press rumours surrounding his divorce (15.4.2005)

Helsingin Sanomat