Parliament to give former speaker Lipponen’s armoured Mercedes-Benz to Security Police

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The Finnish Parliament is to give the armoured Mercedes-Benz acquired in 2005 for the use of the then Speaker Paavo Lipponen (Soc. Dem.) to the Security Police (SuPo). The office commission of the Parliament decided on the matter on Thursday afternoon.
      The luxury saloon is handed over on condition that Parliament may use it, accompanied with a chauffeur, free of charge when needed.
     
The decision was justified, among other things, by the fact that the present Speaker Sauli Niinistö (Nat. Coalition) did not feel he had use for the same level of protection Lipponen had felt he required.
      In his former post as the two-term Prime Minister, Lipponen had become used to strict security measures.
      The “Merc”, which cost in excess of EUR 500,000 to buy, has 45,000 kilometres on the clock, and its current book value is estimated at EUR 270,000.
     
The present Speaker of Parliament has a more modest Audi A6 and a driver at his disposal.
      In the summer this car will be replaced by a newer model of the same make.
      During the Lipponen era, Parliament also purchased a people carrier accommodating eight persons for the use of foreign guest groups, among others. The vehicle is still in use.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Ninety dark blue Volvos available for ASEM participants (7.9.2006)

Helsingin Sanomat