Kanerva calls party leader Katainen a "turncoat"

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Former Minister for Foreign Affairs Ilkka Kanerva (Nat. Coalition Party), who was forced to resign after a furore involving about 200 text messages that he sent to an erotic dancer, says that his departure was prompted by a sudden change of heart by National Coalition Party Chairman Jyrki Katainen.
      In an interview with the newspaper Turun Sanomat on Sunday, Kanerva said that Katainen changed his mind on the matter overnight.
      Before deciding that Kanerva would have to go, Katainen had given repeated assurances that he had full confidence in Kanerva.
      "One day the confidence was strong, and on the next, it was not", Kanerva says.
      According to Kanerva, it is unique even on an international scale for a minister to be removed for a reason such as sending text messages. He notes that US President Bill Clinton was caught for something considerably worse, and he was not removed from office.
      Kanerva also feels that the Finnish Constitution has been violated in his case. He notes that Finland has a principle of absolute privacy for mail, which he feels also applies to text messages. However, according to the article, Kanerva does not plan to press any charges.
     
Kanerva predicted that his departure would lead to a deterioration of the privacy enjoyed by other politicians in Finland.
      In an extensive article in the Sunday supplement of the newspaper Satakunnan Kansa, Kanerva predicted that Katainen's decision would erode the privacy protection defended by Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen (Centre), thereby giving a signal that it is acceptable to violate it.
      "It is quite clear that publishing these kinds of messages actually violates the constitution. But knowing [scandal magazine] Hymy, they don't care too much about legislation. If they have to pay a fine of EUR 10,000, then so what? It doesn't mean anything for them. It makes you think, whether or not the consequences of violating the law should be tougher than they are today."
     
In the article in Satakunnan Kansa Kanerva reveals that he had intended, after serving out his term as Foreign Minister, to seek a leadership post in the International Amateur Athletics Federation.
      "That plan is going down the same drain as the rest of my life's work", Kanerva remarked.
      Now Kanerva said that he will focus on working for the success of the National Coalition Party in the upcoming municipal elections.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Vanhanen annoyed by comparisons between Kanerva text message scandal and uproar over Ruusunen book case (7.4.2008)
  Scrutiny of private lives of government ministers seen to reflect political change (3.4.2008)
  MEP Alexander Stubb to replace Ilkka Kanerva as Foreign Minister (1.4.2008)

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