Finland Times

 

File picture of Outi Alanko-Kahiluoto, the chairperson of the Green League parliamentary group. Photo – Lehtikuva.

The leaders of Vihreät (Green Party), one of the components of the six-party government, have hinted that the party might leave the government if the proposed nuclear power plant of Fennovoima in Pyhäjoki was reconsidered.

 

Outi Alanko-Kahiluoto, chairperson of the Green League parliamentary group, has given an impression that the party may walk out of the coalition government, if the issue of granting Fennovoima permit for the plant is reconsidered in parliament, reported vernacular newspaper Aamulehti.

 

Alanko-Kahiluoto stated that the current government agenda recognised in principle that the permits for new nuclear power plants should not be granted.

 

The Greens hold that the move would mean permitting more nuclear plants is not in line with the government programme.

 

Fennovoima Office in in Pyhäjoki. Photo – Str / Lehtikuva.

Ville Niinistö, chairperson of the Greens, did not want to speculate on the future of the party in the government elaborating that it was best to focus on the issues that were currently on the table.

 

Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen, however, was not willing to comment on the pull out threat from the Greens.

 

Talking to reporters during a party programme on Saturday, the premier said he got contradictory messages on the issue. He, however, said it was entirely the Greens’ decision.

 

The Prime Minister, Jyrki Katainen is addressing a party programme on Saturday. Photo – Str / Lehtikuva.

Katainen also backed Finnevoima saying it was an important project and should achieve its target. 

 

Minister of Economic Affairs Jan Vapaavuori has hinted that Fennovoima’s case may raised in parliament in early autumn.

 

Last summer, the MEE asked Fennovoima to update the environmental impact assessment report and evaluate safety arrangements. 

 

Vapaavuori said based on that report, a legal position was to be taken on whether the existing decision-in-principle also covered the Rosatom option, or if the decision-in-principle made by parliament in 2010 be reconsidered.