Finland Times

 

From Top Left - Petteri Orpo, Alexander Stubb and Jan Vapaavuori, from bottom Left - Tujunen and Henna Virkkunen. Photo- Lehtikuva.

Without mentioning any preference for the new party leadership, Prime Minister Jyrki  Katainen has said he would like to see both men and women in the list of candidates.

 

According to Katainen, Taru Tujunen, who is the party secretary of the National Coalition Party, had been privy to his long-thought consideration.

 

On other party leaders in the government, Katainen said he had called them an hour before the announcement.

 

"We are a close group. A lot of different opinions, but we have been through so much together," said Katainen.

 

Although no leader of the party was yet to announce candidature for the post of party chief, the possible frontrunners are thought to be Petteri Orpo, the party's head of parliamentary group, Jan Vapaavuori, the minister of Economic Affairs, Alexander Stubb, the minister of European Affairs and Foreign Trade and Henna Virkkunen, the minister of Local Government.

 

Katainen’s surprise announcement that he intends to step down as the party leader has led to a wide-ranging debate on how the government would cope in the aftermath of his departure.