Tensions flare up between main government parties
Vanhanen angered at proposal of Stubb for EU leadership
Jyri Häkämies
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Matti Vanhanen
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Olli Rehn
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Alexander Stubb
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Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen (Centre) says that it is not in Finland’s interest to bring forward numerous Finnish names for EU leadership posts.
Reacting to a proposal made by Minister of Defence Jyri Häkämies (Nat. Coalition Party) on Saturday morning, in which Häkämies said that Minister for Foreign Affairs Alexander Stubb (Nat. Coalition Party) was a strong potential candidate for the post of EU Foreign Minister, Vanhanen said that conflicting messages should not be sent out, and that Finland should act consistently to get as high an EU post as possible.
The Prime Minister emphasised that he is responsible for efforts to wield influence in the direction of the EU, and that “the threads have to be in the hands of one person”.
Häkämies said in a radio interview programme on the Finnish Broadcasting Company (YLE) that Foreign Minister Stubb had shown his strength last year when Finland served as the holder of the Chairmanship of the Organisation of Security and Cooperation in Europe, and that if the EU foreign minister is to be chosen from among the foreign ministers of the present member states, Stubb would be a strong candidate.
Häkämies also said that Olli Rehn (Centre), the Commissioner for Enlargement, has done very well in his post, and is a strong candidate.
Häkämies’s proposal caught Vanhanen by surprise. “A few weeks ago the National Coalition Party supported Rehn for high positions”, Vanhanen said at a hastily convened press conference.
National Coalition Party chairman, Minister of Finance Jyrki Katainen expressed surprise at the furore that had arisen over the Defence Minister’s comments.
“The view of the National Coalition Party has not changed: We are behind Rehn.”
“Rehn has the possibility of getting a good post. He is a knowledgeable person. He has done good work and on top of that, he’s a great guy.”
Katainen said that he had felt that way for a year and a half.
Vanhanen also expressed his support for Rehn. “The candidate of a small country has to be appreciated. Rehn is one of the most experienced members on the Commission.”
On Sunday, Prime Minister Vanhanen reiterated the view that Finland cannot have conflicting aims in the debate on upcoming high posts in the EU.
In a radio interview programme on the Finnish Broadcasting Company (YLE) Vanhanen said that he had discussed appointment questions a couple of days earlier with European Commission President José Manuel Barroso, who is likely to lead the next Commission as well.
“And then comes a completely contradictory message from Finland, so naturally, the effect of that is that I want to cut off this discussion”, Vanhanen said.
He emphasised that there are many weighty jobs in the Commission other than those of Commission President and EU Foreign Minister.
“Fortunately we have a very experienced commissioner in office, who is very appreciated among the members. The government’s assessment is that with his help we will be able to get an even mote weighty portfolio in the next European Commission”, Vanhanen said.
Commissioner Rehn did not want to comment on the proposal made by Häkämies. “I am available to be a member of the next Commission, if there is confidence in me in Finland.”
Although Rehn has not made any public declarations of seeking the post of EU Foreign Minister, this has clearly been the goal of both Rehn and Finland. Getting such a post nevertheless requires powerful national lobbying.
“It is only sensible to be a candidate for a high post in the EU if there is extensive national support”, Rehn explains.
Rehn points out that discussion on who should be the EU Foreign Minister is premature, as the post itself will not exist if the Lisbon Treaty is not passed in Ireland.
“It is worth keeping in mind that this is an internal matter for Finland.
Debate over the post of EU Foreign Minister started at the end of the year when Finnish MEP Ville Itälä (Nat. Coalition Party) put proposed setting up a common front to back Olli Rehn. He had spoken to both Prime Minister Vanhanen and Finance Minister Katainen before making his public statement.
National Coalition Party deputy chair, MEP Eija-Riitta Korhola said later that Stubb would be her preference.
On the opposition side, Social Democratic Party leader Jutta Urpilainen feels that the government has lost its way.
“Now is not the time to bicker about the name of the Foreign Minister, but rather to discuss the direction of Europe in the economic and unemployment crisis.”
She sees the putting forward of names as a manifestation of domestic political manoeuvring and internal tensions within the government.
Urpilainen added that the European Parliament elections will determine from which parties the people in leadership positions will come from. “First we’ll have the elections, and then distribute the tasks.”
Vanhanen said that the government will decide on its candidate late in the autumn.
In his view, the disputes have no impact on government cooperation between the National Coalition Party and the Centre.
Previously in HS International Edition:
MEP Ville Itälä wants national front to be formed to support Olli Rehn (12.1.2008)
Helsingin Sanomat
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| 2.2.2009 - TODAY |
Tensions flare up between main government parties
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