Parliament approves Kiviniemi as new PM

Tapani Tölli takes over as Minister of Public Administration and Local Government

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The Finnish Parliament on Tuesday gave its approval to the appointment of the Centre Party’s new chairwoman, former Minister of Public Administration and Local Government Mari Kiviniemi, as Prime Minister.
      After the Parliamentary vote, Kiviniemi promised to advance “stable politics for the benefit of all of Finland”.
      With the exceptions of Kiviniemi taking over as Prime Minister, and Tapani Tölli taking her place as Minister of Public Administration and Local Government, the new government is the same as the one headed by former Centre Party leader Matti Vanhanen.
     
The procedural script for the partial government reshuffle was drawn up at short notice by the Parliament’s main civil servant, Secretary-General Seppo Tiitinen already in 2003, when Anneli Jäätteenmäki resigned after a very short time in government.
      The notes were needed at the time because of constitutional changes that had taken effect in 2000.
     
Last week the Parliamentary groups convened at the invitation of the largest one - that of the Centre Party. It was agreed, at the Centre’s initiative, that the new government would have the same parties as the previous one.
      Speaker of Parliament Sauli Niinistö (Nat. Coalition Party) was officially informed of the agreement at 10:00 Tuesday morning, after which he went to meet with President Tarja Halonen to inform her of the new government.
     
In the afternoon, Parliament formally voted to name Kiviniemi as the new Prime Minister.
      After the vote, President Halonen officially named Kiviniemi as the new Prime Minister. She also named the other government ministers according to a proposal put forward by Kiviniemi herself. The Chancellor of Justice was on hand to make sure that everything goes according to the expressed will of Parliament.
      After its official appointment, the new government decided that it would inform the government of its policy programme today, Wednesday. After what is expected to be a sharp debate in Parliament, Kiviniemi and her government are expected to win a vote of confidence.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Mari Kiviniemi chosen as new Centre Party leader and prospective PM (14.6.2010)
  No major tax reform this electoral term (21.6.2010)
  Kiviniemi government to seek more tax revenue (15.6.2010)

Helsingin Sanomat