Former Prime Minister rejects criticism on lack of discussion
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In Monday’s Helsingin Sanomat Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Paavo Väyrynen (Centre) was quoted as saying that intragovernmental discussions have declined appreciably since former Prime Minister Paavo Lipponen (SDP) took office in 1995.
In reply to the criticism expressed by Väyrynen, Paavo Lipponen strongly defends the present working method that he launched while in office.
It means that not all issues are under debate in the cabinet, but responsibilities have been divided between ministers in their respective administrative sectors.
"Compared with previous governments, we gave more weight to the government programme”, noted Paavo Lipponen, who acted as Prime Minister from 1995 to 2003 and was thereafter Speaker of Parliament in the last electoral term.
Lipponen noted further that prior to detailed government programmes "ministers had lengthy, unnecessary, and time-consuming arguments".
According to Väyrynen, a veteran of governments dating back as far as the late 1970s, the ministers nowadays have only a few internal discussions. He mentioned that previously for example appointments were discussed in detail, while today each minister just presents his appointments and the PM supports them.
In Lipponen’s view the appointments should not involve too much politics.
"To stretch the point a little, previously certain people in certain parties wanted to make sure that even the cleaners would have been members of a party", scoffed Lipponen, suggesting it was a cultural difference and also one of the times.
The former PM says that the ministers must have responsibilities, and too frequent talks can be a sign of indecisiveness.
"Talk as much as you can, but there has to be a limit. I sincerely hope the old days never return", concluded Lipponen.
Helsingin Sanomat
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| 12.6.2007 - TODAY |
 Former Prime Minister rejects criticism on lack of discussion |
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