Finns reassess position after highest EU posts went to other countries

Vanhanen says Olli Rehn has good chance for weighty portfolio

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Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen (Centre) says that Finland and the Liberal group in the European Parliament are in a good position after the top two posts in the administration of the European Union did not go to Finns or to European centrists.
      “The opportunity will certainly be utilised”, Vanhanen said in Parliament on Friday.
      On Friday, former Prime Minister Paavo Lipponen (SDP), who was seen as a possible candidate for the post of EU President, commented on the outcome at a press conference held alongside Social Democratic Party Chairwoman Jutta Urpilainen.
      “This was Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, but it was worth it”, Lipponen said.
     
The current Commissioner of Enlargement, Olli Rehn (Centre) did not express disappointment at the fact that the Foreign Minister’s post went to Catherine Ashton of the Socialist group.
      “I saw the political setup develop already over the weeks”, Rehn said in Brussels on Friday.
      He added that he was already considering the challenges that will face the new Commission, hoping to get a weighty portfolio in the wide field of economic affairs and foreign relations.
     
I studied an extensive course of mathematics at school and I am familiar with probability and optimisation”, Rehn said, and added:
      “I cannot comment on what portfolio I might get. I am confident that I will get a suitable task.”
      Commission President José Manuel Barroso reportedly knows what Finland aspires to.
     
Rehn praised Catherine Ashton, who was named the Foreign Minister, as a capable negotiator. Rehn felt that Ashton and the new President Herman van Rompuy have all the prerequisites to strengthen the position of the EU in world politics and the economy.
     
In appointment matters Vanhanen is the main negotiator for the EU Liberals. The Liberal group of parties includes the prime ministers of just four member states, so they did not have enough leverage to get the Liberals a top position.
      Vanhanen sought to turn defeat into victory, repeating several times at the press conference that his reference group is in a good position in the negotiations. It seems that one of the hopes is to get one of the new posts of a Commission Vice President.
      “We have a certain idea of what kind of a whole that portfolio could become”, Vanhanen said. He nevertheless would not speculate any further.
     
Lipponen said at his press conference at Social Democratic Party headquarters in Helsinki that he had strong support in the Socialist camp.
      He also said that Van Rompuy, who was chosen as the President, represents the same profile as he does. Lipponen also praised Prime Minister Vanhanen for being very cooperative.
      Lipponen put his name forward for the EU Presidency when an important European figure had called him in May. Among his supporters were former Commission Presidents, such as Romano Prodi, as well as prime ministers.
      One issue that came up in the negotiations was Lipponen’s role as a consultant for Nord Stream, the company that plans to set up an undersea natural gas pipeline through the Baltic Sea from Russia to Germany.
      He noted that he is not planning a new crusade after this experience, even though this experience “left a good taste”.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Lipponen downplays suggestions of high EU office (22.10.2009)
  Olli Rehn focuses on economic affairs in preparation for EU Commission portfolio shuffle (17.10.2009)
  Olli Rehn named as Finland´s EU Commissioner candidate (1.10.2009)
  No comment from Swedes on Rehn chances as EU foreign affairs commissioner (11.2.2009)

See also:
  MEP Ville Itälä wants national front to be formed to support Olli Rehn (12.1.2009)

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