Kalliomäki endorses Heinäluoma as Social Democratic Party leader

Eero Heinäluoma

Antti Kalliomäki

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Minister of Finance Antti Kalliomäki said on Thursday that he will not seek the post of chairman of the Social Democratic Party at the party’s Congress in June. On Wednesday the present party leader, Parliamentary Speaker Paavo Lipponen, announced that he would not seek a new term as SDP chairman.
      In a letter to Helsingin Sanomat and to the Social Democratic Party newspaper Uutispäivä Demari, Kalliomäki gives his full support to the party’s secretary Eero Heinäluoma.
     
"The success of Lipponen’s successor in the chairman’s post does not depend exclusively on his experience, and the extent of his knowledge of the practical issues of politics. He must also recognise and understand the challenges that lie ahead, he must be courageous and strong, especially in the decision-making that can bring him thanks only after many years", Kalliomäki writes.
      "The chairman of the SDP must, in all situations, have a Lipponenesque enthusiasm for touring in the field, and the same zeal and enthusiasm to establish relationships in international forums. In addition, a rock-solid media savvy covered by an easygoing demeanor is a kind of know-how that the rank and file expect of their chairman, and which political opponents fear", he added.
      In Kalliomäki’s view, the characteristics that he outlined for a new party leader "do not quite fit" his own persona.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Paavo Lipponen to quit Social Democratic Party leadership post in June (10.3.2005)

Helsingin Sanomat