The Finnish Social Democratic Party (SDP) is willing to negotiate slight amendments to the current functions and powers of the president. No major changes are required, the SDP Party Council decided on Wednesday.
The statement has been outlined rather inaccurately in order to give SDP representatives freedom to act properly at the constitution reform committee.
According to the SDP, the powers of the president should not be reduced in issues linked with the foreign policy responsibility. Moreover, the head of the state should continue to be the Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces.
However, ”the government’s leading role in policy toward the European Union could be clarified”.
When it comes to domestic affairs, the status of the government and Parliament should be strengthened as the governing and legislative bodies of the state, the Council considered.
The decision was based on the results of a survey conducted among the members of the Social Democratic Party.
The subject of curbing the already limited powers of the President - at least limited relative to those exercised by Urho Kekkonen in the late 1950s to early 1980s - has been regularly in the news, even after the constitutional reforms of 2000.
Any changes to be made will not come into effect until the next holder of the office begins his or her term.
