Few HS readers interested in candidates' views of foreign policy

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By the end of last year, the readers of Helsingin Sanomat sent over 600 messages and numerous questions for the Vaalikone or candidate selection engine, which will be launched on the HS website in February, ahead of the March parliamentary elections.
      The Vaalikone allows voters to assess the views of the various candidates online in order to find one that best matches their own opinions.
     
The messages indicate that the readers are not greatly interested in the candidates' views on foreign policy issues, even though a couple of individual messages gave a hint of the relations with Russia. Surprisingly, also suggestions for European Union issues were scarce.
      Instead, the issues of security policy, national defence, and especially Finland's NATO membership were repeatedly put forward.
      For example, one of the most explicit questions was suggested by log-in pseudonym "Rize": Will the Finnish security policy be handled best a) as a NATO member, b) as a NATO partner country, c) through the European Union Rapid Reaction Force, or d) totally independently?
     
A large number of questions and suggestions were related to subsistence in general, basic income, pensions, and benefits for families with children, as well as to financial support for students.
      Furthermore, a number of questions relating to taxes were proposed, too. At least the issues of the tax on motor vehicles, inheritance taxes, and value added taxation were put forward for consideration.
      Moreover, the multidimensional issue of climate change was also suggested. The question was: "What should be done in Finland to prevent climate change?"
      The alternative answers would be: Finland should a) do nothing, b) comply with the international treaties on climate change, while awaiting emission reductions by other countries, c) be active in its climate change policy and even be prepared to make sacrifices in terms of the growth of the national product, d) invest in low-emission technologies, or e) reduce the use of fossil fuels, for example by increasing the price of gasoline.
     
The common topic of Swedish as a compulsory subject in Finnish schools was also commented on by many readers.
      Further suggestions included some personal issues, such as the candidate's approach to lying and to keeping promises, his or her interest groups, and adherence to party discipline, and the size of the candidate's electoral budget.
      The next Finnish parliamentary elections are scheduled to be held on March 18, 2007.


Links:
  Parliament of Finland
  Parliamentary Elections
  Ministry of Justice: Elections

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