Paavo Lipponen confirms he is to retire in 2007

Paavo Lipponen

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Finnish Speaker of Parliament and former Prime Minister Paavo Lipponen (SDP) has flatly denied the rumours that energy companies would have tried to tempt him with a position as a salaried lobbyist. Lipponen was speaking at a London conference organised by the British Nuclear Energy Society.
      "There is no truth to these rumours. I am about to retire", said Lipponen, who has announced that he would leave the Parliament after the next election.
      Lipponen also insists that talks of him becoming the director of the Finnish Institute of International Affairs are "utterly incomprehensible".
     
Lately the Speaker of Parliament has been in high demand as a lecturer acquainted with energy - especially nuclear energy - matters.
      This dates back to Parliament's decision four years ago to add to the number of Finnish nuclear reactors.
      According to Lipponen, neither he nor Finland are looking to become advocates for nuclear energy.
      "We are not aiming for this position. Finland reached its own decision after much deliberation."
      In Lipponen's view, there is a certain amount of arrogance attached to opposing nuclear power. Large countries, as well as the inheritors of the 1970s ideology, are equally guilty of this.
      "Nuclear energy is being discriminated against. Its objectors demonstrate fundamentalist attitudes."
      According to Lipponen these fundamentalist attitudes prevail in Germany, in particular. The price of this will be misinvestments.
     
Lipponen would like Finland to host this autumn's energy-related EU summit.
      In energy matters, Lipponen would partner the European Union not only with the United States but also with Russia.
      In the West, the idea of Russia being the one in control of the energy valve is met with a certain amount of distrust. On the other hand, Russia could not deal with the huge investments needed to utilise its energy resources without outside help, Lipponen believes.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Parliament approves fifth commercial nuclear reactor (24.5.2002)

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