Halonen says she revealed her decision to run again first to little girl in Åland
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President Tarja Halonen announced on Thursday that she is willing to seek a second term as President. In a brief statement made at the official Presidential residence of Mäntyniemi, Halonen said that she had given a positive response the previous day when leaders of the Social Democratic Party had asked her to join the race.
Halonen revealed that she had made her decision to run for re-election already the in the autumn. She also said that she had told her plans to a little girl who had asked her during a visit to Åland.
The President noted that in the autumn there was much public debate on Finnish foreign and security policy, on what the country’s relation should be with world development, and how to be "both competitive and righteous".
"I felt that if need be, I am ready to defend the line that I have taken."
Last autumn the President faced a fair amount of criticism for some of the stands that she had taken on foreign policy issues. In her announcement on Thursday, she said that she is willing to accept criticism on foreign policy questions, for instance, butg added that she would like those presenting the criticism to put forward alternatives.
President Halonen also said that she believes that all of the candidates are hoping for a short election campaign.
Halonen observed that both she and Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen (Centre), who is also running for President, face a demanding task. She said that in spite of the campaign, she expects that possible crises that emerge could be dealt with even on election day, if necessary.
She said that the present powers of the President are about right in Finland, but that as a lawyer, she would support changes in the President’s right to grant pardons to criminals.
Tarja Halonen is to be formally named the candidate of the Social Democratic Party in November. She does not face any challengers for the party’s nomination.
An association promoting Halonen’s candidacy has been set up under the leadership of Minister of Finance Antti Kalliomäki (SDP).
Social Democratic Party Secretary Eero Heinäluoma noted that the party’s role in the campaign will be smaller than it was six years ago.
Left Alliance chairwoman Suvi-Anne Siimes was quick to endorse President Halonen, saying that she was the best possible option. In an interview with the Finnish News Agency STT, Siimes called for the establishment of a broad-based "citizens’ delegation" to promote the President’s re-election.
In addition to Tarja Halonen and Prime Minister Vanhanen, declared Presidential candidates include Sauli Niinistö of the National Coalition Party, the Greens’ Heidi Hautala, and the True Finns’ Timo Soini.
Halonen is the overwhelming favourite in the race. The latest poll gives her 53% support among Finns.
The first round of the elections will be held on January 15th next year. If no candidate wins an outright majority, a runoff will be held between the top two January 29th. The term of the new President begins on March 1st.
Halonen revealed that she had made her decision to run for re-election already the in the autumn. She also said that she had told her plans to a little girl who had asked her during a visit to Åland.
The President noted that in the autumn there was much public debate on Finnish foreign and security policy, on what the country’s relation should be with world development, and how to be "both competitive and righteous".
"I felt that if need be, I am ready to defend the line that I have taken."
Last autumn the President faced a fair amount of criticism for some of the stands that she had taken on foreign policy issues. In her announcement on Thursday, she said that she is willing to accept criticism on foreign policy questions, for instance, butg added that she would like those presenting the criticism to put forward alternatives.
President Halonen also said that she believes that all of the candidates are hoping for a short election campaign.
Halonen observed that both she and Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen (Centre), who is also running for President, face a demanding task. She said that in spite of the campaign, she expects that possible crises that emerge could be dealt with even on election day, if necessary.
She said that the present powers of the President are about right in Finland, but that as a lawyer, she would support changes in the President’s right to grant pardons to criminals.
Tarja Halonen is to be formally named the candidate of the Social Democratic Party in November. She does not face any challengers for the party’s nomination.
An association promoting Halonen’s candidacy has been set up under the leadership of Minister of Finance Antti Kalliomäki (SDP).
Social Democratic Party Secretary Eero Heinäluoma noted that the party’s role in the campaign will be smaller than it was six years ago.
Left Alliance chairwoman Suvi-Anne Siimes was quick to endorse President Halonen, saying that she was the best possible option. In an interview with the Finnish News Agency STT, Siimes called for the establishment of a broad-based "citizens’ delegation" to promote the President’s re-election.
In addition to Tarja Halonen and Prime Minister Vanhanen, declared Presidential candidates include Sauli Niinistö of the National Coalition Party, the Greens’ Heidi Hautala, and the True Finns’ Timo Soini.
Halonen is the overwhelming favourite in the race. The latest poll gives her 53% support among Finns.
The first round of the elections will be held on January 15th next year. If no candidate wins an outright majority, a runoff will be held between the top two January 29th. The term of the new President begins on March 1st.
Helsingin Sanomat