Opposition leader calls for closer Finnish-American relationship
Jyrki Katainen unanimously re-elected leader of National Coalition Party
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Jyrki Katainen , who was unanimously chosen leader of the opposition conservative National Coalition Party at the party’s congress in Joensuu on Saturday, called for improving political ties between Finland and the United States.
Addressing the delegates soon after his election, Katainen noted that the European Union is the focus of Finnish foreign policy, but that relations with Russia and the United States are the most important for Finland.
"During the government of Paavo Lipponen we had a strong and constructive relationship with the United States. In our opinion, this is not the case now", Katainen explained after his speech. He also conceded that Finland’s current foreign policy leaders have not made any serious mistakes.
The NATO question is a difficult one for the National Coalition Party in advance of next year’s Parliamentary election. Katainen did not openly endorse joining the alliance - an idea which is opposed by a majority of Finns, but he asked: "Of all European countries, why would membership hurt only Finland?"
The fresh stand taken by the party is that Finland will join NATO some day, but only after a referendum. Katainen said that emotions have been running high on the NATO question in other parties, such as the Left Alliance.
" Jaakko Laakso would oppose NATO even if it were a prerequisite for Finland’s future", Katainen said. "According to Lipponen, NATO should not be discussed before the elections, because he is afraid that his party will pull back so far that it will not be able to come back for ten years.
Katainen expressed the hope that if the NATO debate continues, it would not degenerate into scare-mongering.
"The importance of NATO has been overemphasised. Finland will probably get by without membership. The big attack may not necessarily take place. NATO’s significance is in crisis management, which Finland has already been involved in", Katainen emphasised.
The conservative party leader called for more incentives for work. He also supports better coordination of low wages and social benefits, and the dismantling of the kinds of income traps which penalise professional advancement.
Katainen deplored the preponderance of short-term job contracts, especially in the public sector. He also came out in favour of continued tripartite cooperation in the labour market, involving trade unions, employers’ groups, and the government, and called for continued "moderate" tax cuts.
In his speech Katainen called for changes in taxation for pensioners. The National Coalition Party has calculated that pensioners earning between 13,000 and 37,000 euros actually pay more taxes than wage-earners making the same amount, because pensioners have fewer tax deductions.
In the race for the vice chairs of the National Coalition Party, MEP Eija-Riitta Korhola beat MP Marjo Matikainen-Kallström on Sunday.
Korhola is a relative newcomer to the party, joining the National Coalition after leaving the Christian Democratic party two and a half years ago.
The party’s two other deputy chairs, MPs Jari Koskinen and Paula Risikko secured their positions in the first round.
Helsingin Sanomat
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| 12.6.2006 - TODAY |
 Opposition leader calls for closer Finnish-American relationship
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