President Halonen rejects Niinistö criticism of being too passive
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President Tarja Halonen has countered suggestions by opposition National Coalition Party Presidential hopeful Sauli Niinistö that the role of the President should be that of waking up the government and Parliament to important issues.
During a visit to the northern communities of Posio and Ranua on Wednesday, Halonen denied suggestions by Niinistö that she and Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen (Centre) have not been waking decision-makers to bear responsibility for issues that are important for the future of the nation.
She also said that she prefers to see her role as that of a sparring partner for the Parliament and government. However, she feels that she has given wake-up calls when speaking of the social responsibility of corporations.
"The President must not take on the role of opposition, but he or she must also not sail in the wake of the government in the role of a godparent."
In Halonen’s view, the President should find a role somewhere in between, offering encouragement to the government and Parliament.
President Halonen, who has agreed to a request from the Social Democratic Party to run for a second term, did not see herself as campaigning for re-election yet. She did admit, however, that her visits to different parts of the country can be seen as campaigning in the sense that her activities as President are constantly open to the scrutiny of the people.
She also noted that the SDP has not yet made an official decision to take her as a candidate. "If Citizen Halonen screws up, the decision can be changed", she noted.
The President also answered a question on security guarantees of the European Union, the implementation of which has been frozen after the proposed EU constitution has encountered resistance.
Halonen does not see the lack of security guarantees as a problem. She also notes that Finland and Sweden have been active in the development of crisis management capability in the EU.
President Halonen and her husband Pentti Arajärvi visited the Pentik ceramics factory and the Posifutter door frame factory in Posio. The companies are the largest employers in Posio. Halonen noted that both companies bear their social responsibility well.
Later in the day Halonen visited the Ranua Zoo, and also held a meeting with local municipal leaders.
Helsingin Sanomat
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| 18.8.2005 - TODAY |
 President Halonen rejects Niinistö criticism of being too passive |
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