Social Democrats postpone nomination of Presidential candidate until autumn
Party leaders to meet with Halonen by early March
Tarja Halonen
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The Social Democratic Party is taking the lead from other large political parties, and delaying the nomination of a candidate for next year’s Presidential elections until the auutum of this year.
Previous plans were to name a candidate at the party’s congress in early June.
A formal decision on the issue is to be made at a meeting of the party’s delegate council on March 9th. Before that, the party leaders will meet with President Tarja Halonen, and with leaders of regional party organisations.
The SDP’s new timetable suggests that President Halonen might seek a second term. However, she has not yet revealed her intentions in public.
Vesa Mauriala, head of the political section of the Social Democratic Party, says that the party office does not know what President Halonen thinks about a possible second term. However, he admits that one reason to postpone the timetable is a desire to allow the President to work in peace.
"It would be good if election campaigns were short and condensed. Especially if the incumbent president is available, it is better for the execution of the office for the campaign to be condensed", Mauriala says.
He also notes that although Halonen and Martti Ahtisaari before her were nominated in the early summer, the Social Democratic Party had to restart both campaigns in the autumn after a quiet summer period.
If more than one Social Democratic candidate emerges, the party will hold a vote among the party members, probably in September.
Of the large political parties, the Centre Party plans to name its Presidential candidate at an extraordinary party congress on October 29th.
The National Coalition Party plans to name its candidate at an extraordinary party congress on November 12th.
The first round of Finland’s Presidential elections is to be held on January 15th, 2006. If none of the candidates get an absolute majority, a runoff between the two highest-scoring candidates will be held on January 29th.
Helsingin Sanomat
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| 13.1.2005 - TODAY |
 Social Democrats postpone nomination of Presidential candidate until autumn |
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