German Social Democrat leader praises Finland in inaugural speech
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Matthias Platzeck, who was chosen the new leader of Germany’s Social Democratic Party (SPD) this week, has praised Finland in a speech he gave after he was named to the party’s leadership.
Speaking in his inaugural address on the second day of the extraordinary SPD Party Congress in Karlsruhe, Platzeck, the Prime Minister of the eastern German state of Brandenburg, spent minutes praising Finland as a society that Germans should emulate.
"Finland is a top country in international comparisons of competitiveness after the economic crisis of the 1990s. In all international comparisons in education, Finland is the best", Platzeck said, adding praise for the Finnish economy.
He said that he got the recipe for success from former Finnish Prime Minister Paavo Lipponen (SDP). "It is no secret. It is about people, their own potential, their ideas, and creativity. It needs to be supported and nurtured from an early age", Platzeck said.
Finnish Social Democratic Party Chairman, Minister of Finance Eero Heinäluoma, attended the congress, but did not hear Platzeck’s praise of Finland, because he had to leave Karlsruhe in the morning. However, a number of other Finnish Social Democrats were on hand for the speech.
"A unique recognition, which Finns should know how to use to their advantage", said Sebastian Sass, secretary of international affairs for the Parliamentary group of the Finnish Social Democrats.
Helsingin Sanomat
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| 16.11.2005 - TODAY |
 German Social Democrat leader praises Finland in inaugural speech
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