Fri, 19 Sep, 2014 12:07:28 AM FTimes-Xinhua Report, Sept 19
Soon after the Finnish government approved the Russian-built Fennovoima nuclear plant on Thursday, Vihreä chair and Environment Minister Ville Niinistö announced that his party would quit the government. The withdrawal will leave the coalition government with only four parties, with 101 MPs in the 200-seat Parliament. In addition to Niinistö, Pekka Haavisto, who served as the Minister for International Development, will also leave the government.
Earlier on September 15, the Vihreä Liito (Green League) chief said they will quit the five-party ruling alliance, if the government goes ahead with approving the Fennovoima nuclear power plant in Pyhäjoki. Niinistö said it is stipulated in the current government programme that no permit for new nuclear power plants should be granted. He said the nuclear power plant will increase the country’s dependence on Russia and it is not good for the country’s image, more so in the current political situation. Following the announcement, Prime Minister Alexander Stubb said that time he will respect the decision of the Vihreä Liito (Green League), if they wish to leave the government. Earlier, on March 25, the Vasemmistoliito (Left Alliance), one of the components of the then six-party ruling alliance, resigned from the government following a dispute with its allies over the fiscal adjustment package in budget. The Left Alliance refused to accept the government package after the spending limit talks held among the ruling alliance leaders. Some leaders from opposition parties speculated that the next Finland's parliament election, due to be held in April next year, is likely to be pushed ahead of time, as the cabinet's parliamentary majority will be too small to make any important decision.
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