President Halonen calls for debate on reform of electoral system

Low voter turnout a cause for concern

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A reform of Finland’s Parliamentary electoral system may be worth considering once again, said President Tarja Halonen while speaking at the opening of the 2007 session of Parliament on Wednesday. The president also expressed her concern over voter turnout, which has been declining steadily in general elections for the past two decades. In addition, Halonen demanded that added resources be allocated to improve care for the elderly.
     
Under the current proportional representation system, it is difficult for candidates of small parties to get elected in small electoral districts, which could lead to inequality between different parts of the country, the president argued.
      Halonen noted further that previous proposals on how to reform the electoral system had failed as the political parties had not reached a consensus on the matter.
      The president also expressed concern over voter turnout, which has been declining in general elections for the past two decades.
     
Apart from electoral reform, Halonen also mentioned the fact that the population is growing older, which means that service needs are increasing.
      "At the moment, there are serious shortcomings in the care for the elderly. Correcting these will require added resources", the president commented.
      As these issues had been much discussed in election debates, Halonen hoped that improvements would be forthcoming.
     
The MPs had arrived in almost full strength, to listen to the speech by President Halonen, with a few exceptions including Paavo Väyrynen (Centre), who has publicly declared that he wants an "influential" position in the new government or Parliament or he will return to European Parliament, and Merikukka Forsius (Greens) who has been reported to be travelling.
      On Wednesday, PM Vanhanen also submitted the resignation of the Government and President Halonen accepted it, asking it to continue on a caretaker basis until the new government has been formed and the ministers appointed.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  MP-elect wants "influential" position or he will return to European Parliament (28.3.2007)
  Pressure grows for reform of Parliamentary electoral system (22.3.2007)

Links:
  President Halonen at the opening of the 2007 session of Parliament: Low young-voter turnout a cause for concern

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