Government not ready to boost Greater Helsinki metropolis

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The City of Helsinki cannot count on the current government when dreaming of a new million-resident metropolis.
      As things stand, no compulsory mergers of cities are forthcoming, while potential annexations will be entirely up to Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa, and Kauniainen themselves.
     
This is the conclusion to be drawn based on the replies given by the ministers to a survey conducted by Helsingin Sanomat via e-mail and telephone. A total of 14 out of 20 ministers responded to the questionnaire.
      The most enthusiastic supporters of the proposed municipal annexation include Minister of Labour Tarja Cronberg (Green League) as well as the Helsinki residents Mari Kiviniemi (Centre), Jan Vapaavuori (National Coalition), and Tuija Brax (Green League).
      However, only Minister of Housing Vapaavuori and Minister of Justice Brax referred to the possibility of a compulsory annexation of the cities in the metropolitan area, while Minister of Public Administration and Local Government Mari Kiviniemi is in favour of borough councils.
      ”If a study indicates that it would be sensible to link the municipalities together, the state cannot shun its responsibilities”, Brax writes.
      ”A stronger input by the state would be a prerequisite for the implementation of an annexation of the entire metropolitan area in the near future”, notes Vapaavuori.
     
Among other supporters of the Helsinki metropolis appears also to be Paavo Väyrynen (Centre), the Minister for Foreign Trade and Development, who would like to introduce into the Greater Helsinki area a two-level administration according to which all decisions relating to city planning and transportation would be made jointly. The move would require special legislation.
      Instead, decisions on education, health care, and other everyday issues would be made in smaller units than the present municipalities, in some kind of boroughs, a plan that his party colleague Mari Kiviniemi also supports.
     
Opposing the annexation of the Helsinki metropolitan area cities are Minister of Culture Stefan Wallin from Turku and the Helsinki resident Astrid Thors, the Minister of Migration and European Affairs, both representing the Swedish People’s Party.
      The opposition has argued among other things that in a million-resident metropolis, people would remain remote from the decision-making process.
      ”As can be proved, the development of too large entities is in conflict with the interests of the residents of a municipality”, Wallin argues.
     
Most ministers are unwilling to take any direct stand for or against the delicate issue.
      Among them is for example Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen (Centre).
      ”The potential merger of these cities is a matter that is up to them to decide in the first place”, says Minister of Communications Suvi Lindén (National Coalition Party), echoing the view of many others.
      When it comes to projects relating to navigation routes and transportation, Minister of Transport Anu Vehviläinen (Centre) says that the state has an important role in intensifying and boosting the cooperation of the Greater Helsinki area in many questions.
      In the upcoming spring Helsinki is to start investigations into the pros and cons of a possible merger of Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa, and Kauniainen.
     
While Helsinki is dreaming that at least Vantaa could be persuaded to join Helsinki in the course of the next four years, Espoo and Kauniainen are both vehemently opposed to the proposed merger.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Greater Helsinki metropolis would be massive political force (19.6.2007)

See also:
  Ministers revive discussions on study for merger of cities in Greater Helsinki area (4.4.2008)

Helsingin Sanomat