Speaker of Parliament criticises debate on President’s role in EU affairs

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Speaker of Parliament Paavo Lipponen (SDP) says that he has had enough of what he sees as constant criticism of President Tarja Halonen and her role.
      Lipponen focuses his criticism on the opposition National Coalition Party, and especially MP Kimmo Sasi, the chairman of the Constitutional Law Committee.
     
Lipponen feels that the media has also sowed unnecessary confusion over the President’s role in European Union matters, and that the confusion tends to hurt Finland.
      In an interview with Helsingin Sanomat on Tuesday, Lipponen called for the "kicking" to stop, noting that high institutions such as the Parliament and the Presidency should treat each other with mutual respect.
     
The Speaker’s irritation was sparked by events last week. It was suggested in the media that Halonen had exceeded her authority by inviting Russian President Vladimir Putin to the unofficial EU summit in Lahti, although the official convener of the meeting is Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen (Centre).
      Kimmo Sasi almost immediately denounced the actions of the President, saying in a television interview that the President is trying to expand her territory by changing existing practice.
      However, Prime minister Vanhanen said that a decision had been made by the government on inviting the Russian President already before the meeting between Halonen and Putin in case the matter were to come up during the meeting.
      Many others, including Lipponen, had been informed that an invitation was forthcoming.
      As Lipponen sees it, the President did not perform a "solo act"; she acted according to the views of the government. "It would be quite extraordinary if she did not present an invitation, knowing that a decision to invite him had been made.
      Kimmo Sasi has often criticised the President’s participation in EU summits. Joining him recently was MEP Ville Itälä (Nat. Coalition Party).
     
"I feel that it is especially serious that the chairman of the Constitutional Law Committee is active in this. He in particular should be concerned about relations among the institutions", Lipponen says.
      The Speaker feels that it is absolutely clear that power in matters relating to the EU are with Parliament and the government, but that the President clearly has powers in foreign and security policy. He feels that it goes against the spirit of the present constitution to seek to usurp the authority of the President in these matters.
      Lipponen added that if the present constitution and distribution of powers are not to someone’s liking, then that person should propose amending the constitution, and not attacking the President.
      However, he also hopes that any constitutional debate should be postponed until after next year’s Parliamentary elections, when he plans to retire.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  President and Government have different opinions on EU representation (15.6.2006)
  Halonen in St. Petersburg, invites Putin to EU summit in Lahti (14.6.2006)

Helsingin Sanomat