Finland Times

Finance Minister Jutta Urpilainen guest Excessive number one morning program 18 May 2013. Photo - Lehtikuva.

Social Democratic Party (Suomen Sosialidemokraattinen Puolue) chairperson and Finance Minister Jutta Urpilainen on Saturday rejected the possibility of dropping Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja from the cabinet at this moment.

 

Speaking at the YLE Saturday morning breakfast programme, Urpilainen said Friday’s cabinet reshuffle did not take place because of poor performance of ministers but to give others an opportunity to work in the last two years of the present government’s tenure as the outgoing ministers had completed their major projects, reported YLE.

 

‘The reshuffle has not taken place considering the ministers’ mistakes,’ said the SDP chief, adding that Maria Guzenina-Richarsons had brought social healthcare reforms in a certain place.

 

Urpilainen also said that the cabinet was not aimed at increasing the number of supporters of her party which had declined significantly in recent times.

 

Rejecting the possibility of bringing a change in the foreign ministry, she said the incumbent minister, Erkki Tuomioja, was ‘the right man’ for the job.

 

There was a speculation that Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja would be removed but the SDP chair said Tuomioja’s experience was unparalleled for running the ministry, although she admitted that there indeed was a speculation about the foreign minister both inside and outside the party.

 

Earlier at a party programme, Tuomioja also claimed that he was doing well and expressed his interest to continue as the foreign minister.

 

The SDP on Friday brought a few changes in the cabinet of the six-party alliance government.

 

Urpilainen on Friday morning announced of inclusion of Susanna Huovinen and Pia Viitanen in the cabinet and exclusion of Education Minister Jukka Gustafsson and Social Service and Health Minister Maria Guzenina-Richardson from it.

 

The reshuffle also includes transfer of Communications Minister Krista Kiuru to the education ministry.