PM Vanhanen accuses YLE of systematic attempt to topple him

“I am ready to fight”

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In a speech at the main square of the city of Loviisa on Saturday, Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen (Centre) launched a blistering attack against the Finnish Broadcasting Company (YLE), accusing the public broadcaster of a “systematic effort” to topple him.
      The Prime Minister was referring to a story on a current affairs programme on YLE TV 2 alleging that Vanhanen had been given free construction materials for his house in Nurmijärvi by a company which did contract work for the youth housing foundation Nuorisosäätiö.
      The Prime Minister said that YLE had constantly put out contradictory information, altered accusations, and issued strange innuendo. “YLE is systematically inciting a lack of trust.”
      “YLE is clearly trying to topple the Prime Minister. They see this as journalism.”
      Vanhanen has done systematic work. He has ascertained through his own interviews how the decision came about within YLE on the time when the programme should be aired. He said that he is happy that he has freedom of speech in the matter.
      “I am ready to fight.”
     
Vanhanen expressed his opinions in the middle of the beautiful main square of Loviisa. Helsingin Sanomat met him later as he was eating a bowl of salmon soup, and noted that his accusations against YLE seemed extremely harsh.
      “With good reason. If I had filed a complaint [to the police], I should keep my mouth shut”, Prime Minister Vanhanen said.
      He said nothing about the rest of the election campaign furore, keeping to his established tactic to repeat that it is best to wait for the completion of official investigations.
     
Loviisa resident Tenho Yrjölä urged Vanhanen to ask police to investigate YLE, or to file a criminal complaint himself.
      He also called on Vanhanen to resign, giving reasons ranging from election funding to text messages sent to women.
      Vanhanen responded calmly. The basic pillar of his defence was attacking YLE harder and harder each time.
     
The event in Loviisa was linked with the municipal elections that are to be held in the city following the merger of four municipalities. Christian Democratic MP Bjarne Kallis told Vanhanen that the Centre Party and the Christian Democrats are on an equal footing in Loviisa. He is right, in that neither party have any seats on the Loviisa City Council.
      The Swedish People’s Party, which had set up next to the Centre Party’s tent, was already holding a victory celebration of sorts. Cheerful singing was heard from the party’s tent, with the lyrics: "är det nån som känner sig klok i dag", or “Does anyone feel sensible today?”


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Ilta-Sanomat: Vanhanen´s house does not contain timber claimed in YLE programme (8.10.2009)
  No police investigation over Vanhanen´s boards (2.10.2009)
  YLE clarifies claims over Vanhaneńs timber delivery (30.9.2009)
  YLE claims: PM Vanhanen received building materials from construction company free of charge (29.9.2009)

Helsingin Sanomat