Finland Times

 

The outgoing chief of National Coalition Party spoke at the party council begun in Lahti on Friday. Photo – Lehtikuva.

Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen gave a moving farewell speech at the Sibelius Hall in Lahti on Friday evening as delegates of the Kansallinen Kokoomus (National Coalition Party) warmed up for life under a new party leader.

 

The three-day party council began in Lahti on Friday where Katainen in his farewell speech described the Kokoomus as a party which does not seek to create a hostile image.

 

The Kokoomus, according to Katainen, is a party which is capable of differentiating between fundamental value and instrumental value.

 

The role of politics, as the premier pointed out, is to pursue the brightest of values and utilise them for the development of the society and not for maximising personal gains. “The Kokoomus is not an individualised interest group,” stated the PM.

 

Katainen said his farewell speech was not his political testament. He has in the past indicated that he might be interested in international tasks.

 

The premier also conveyed the message that political leaders must have the courage to be positive.

 

Delegates thank Jyrki Katainen during the council session on Friday. Photo – Lehtikuva.

The centrepiece of politics, according to the premier, is to be able to come up with solutions which are not perfect but with moderation, responsibility, enthusiasm and passion.

 

The party congress listened keenly and quietly and periodically applauded the premier.

 

The premier was moved to tears towards the end of the speech when he thanked party secretary Taru Tujunen saying that she could not have been a better secretary and his wife Mervi Katainen whom he singled out for the interesting 10 years they have endured together and of course the party’s rank and file whom he thanked for their support and energy.

 

The end of the speech was acknowledged by a resounding applause as the premier stood alone in a blue suit and blue tie.

 

A record number of 850 party delegates will on Saturday elect a new leader and will have to choose between Paula Risikko, the minister of Social Affairs and Health, Minister of European Affairs and Foreign Trade Alexander Stubb and Jan Vapaavuori, the minister of Economic Affairs.

 

Jyrki Katainen, who led the party for the last one decade announced on April 5 his decision to step down as the National Coalition Party chairman as well as the prime minister.