President and Government have different opinions on EU representation

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President Tarja Halonen has been criticised by circles close to Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen (Centre Party) for her active interest in EU questions, especially the issues related to Finland's upcoming EU Presidency.
      According to information gathered by Helsingin Sanomat, some backstage arm-wrestling is in progress over the role of the President during Finland's 6-month EU Presidency that is to begin in July.
     
The current Constitution of Finland that entered into force in March 2000 gives the president the responsibility for directing foreign affairs, while the government - not the president - has responsibility over issues related to EU affairs. This is bound to allow for some interpretation of the actual role of the Head of the State.
      In recent times, Halonen has shown an active interest in the preparations for the EU Presidency.
     
Following Finland's multiple representation in EU affairs, Halonen presented a personal invitation to President Vladimir Putin of Russia on Tuesday to take part in an unofficial EU summit of heads of state and government in Lahti in October. The main theme of the summit is to be energy.
      The event will be hosted by PM Vanhanen, and hence the Finnish government sent Putin an official invitation to the Lahti summit on Wednesday.
      On the other hand, Prime Minister Vanhanen is to represent the European Union and Finland at the G8 summit in St. Petersburg in July, while President Halonen has not decided on her participation as yet.
     
On Wednesday, President Halonen informed the parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee of her intentions to deliver a speech both at the European Parliament and the Council of Europe next autumn. The members of the Committee were left with the impression that Halonen intends to participate actively in the events to be arranged during Finland's EU Presidency.
      While the relations between Vanhanen and Halonen are described as good, conflicts - if any - exist between the offices.
     
However, the Office of the President and the Prime Minister's Office both deny all suggestions of any friction, claiming that good personal relationships exist between the two offices. Both Halonen and Vanhanen will be attending the two-day summit of the European Council in Brussels today and Friday. Halonen's presence - and the need for "two chairs" for Finland - was justified by the Prime Minister on the grounds that the meeting is likely to discuss a good many topics relating to the EU's external affairs.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Halonen in St. Petersburg, invites Putin to EU summit in Lahti (14.6.2006)
  Prime Minister Vanhanen to represent EU in G8 summit in St. Petersburg (21.2.2006)

Links:
  Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
  Prime Minister´s Office

Helsingin Sanomat