Preparations for Centre Party congress overshadowed by campaign finance controversy

Incumbent in Party Secretary race stays incommunicado

Kimmo Tiilikainen

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Centre Party Secretary Jarmo Korhonen stayed out of the public eye on Tuesday, even though the party’s congress is scheduled for the weekend.
      Korhonen nevertheless sent out a press release, according to which the practical arrangements by the party office and the party’s regional organisation in North Karelia have progressed well. At the same time Korhonen said that he was preparing his speeches for the meeting.
      Party Chairman, Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen (Centre), who is on a visit to Japan, said to the Finnish News Agency STT that he had been in contact with Korhonen on Monday.
      “I know what he is doing. We have a congress ahead of us, and the preparations are in order”, Vanhanen said.
      Helsingin Sanomat tried to reach Korhonen to ask him for his views on topical issues. Korhonen did not answer his home telephone, and the answering machine on his mobile phone was full. He did not respond to his e-mails.
     
The same questions were also put to Korhonen’s challenger for the Centre Party Secretary post, MP Kimmo Tiilikainen.
     
      Should there be a vote among the membership over the party chairman?
     
      “We have a working group to consider this. I am confident that there are experienced people on the committee preparing the issue. But it is quite possible.”
     
      Does the Centre Party need to improve the possibilities of members to influence matters? If so, then how?
     
      “There is always a need for improvement. I want to activate people to participate, and to express their views, in order to spark debate. In such a way, the view of the Centre Party is filtered out from among the various points of view. We also have a magnificent group work system, which draws up programmes for the future. This work could also take place in the provinces.”
     
      How is the election finance debate affecting fund raising for the municipal elections?
     
      “The controversy is certainly not making the task any easier. On the other hand, all parties have a similar situation. The whole Finnish political system has suffered.”
     
      How do you plan to patch up the reputation that has been tarnished in the election campaign funding controversy?
     
      “Actually the only possible starting point is openness. The Centre needs to consider whether it has acted correctly, and if there is any room for improvement, it must be stated together that mistakes have been made, and the party will learn from it. We must focus on working on the party programme in such a way that we can offer Finns a view on what direction the Centre wants Finland to develop. If our goals get the confidence of the people, then there it is.”
     
      If you are chosen, how much will you tour in the field?
     
      “Touring the provinces is a significant part of the work of a party secretary. When I served as Minister of the Environment for six months, I ended up travelling around a good deal. The Centre Party is a party of the whole country, and we have very professional people in the district organisations. The Centre cannot be a one-man show.”
     
      Would there be any changes in the way that the party secretary operates?
     
      “Undoubtedly there would be some changes. The Party Secretary holds key responsibility in the party. The responsibility is especially emphasised when the party’s chairman is also the Prime Minister. Responsibility must also be carried when it is stormy.”

More on this subject:
 Opposition parties want Vanhanen to report on campaign funding matter on Thursday

Previously in HS International Edition:
  KMS support to Vanhanen campaign: Centre Party’s Kontiola made bank transaction (9.6.2008)
  KMS deputy chairman: organisation established at Centre Party headquarters (2.6.2008)
  COMMENTARY: Money matters (25.5.2008)

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