Finland Times

 

The Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Lenita Toivakka. File Photo Lehtikuva.

A minister and an opposition lawmaker on Tuesday accused each other during a debate in parliament on tax evasion.

 

Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Lenita Toivakka of the Kansallinen Kokoomus (National Coalition Party) accused Timo Harakka, a lawmaker of the main opposition Suomen Sosialidemokraattinen Puolue (Social Democratic Party of Finland), of lying twice, while the lawmaker accused Toivakka of doing business abroad for tax purposes.

 

A direct accusation of lying is very unusual and considered indecent. Lawmakers tend to use euphemisms when they suspect another of falsehoods.

 

The mudslinging began with Harakka asserting that Toivakka had founded a real estate company in Belgium for tax purposes.

 

After the lawmaker’s speech, Toivakka took the floor and denied the allegation. “Honourable speaker, I want to say that MP Harakka is lying here in this hall,” said the minister, causing a stir in the chamber. 

 

Suomen Sosialidemokraattinen Puolue (Social Democratic Party of Finland) lawmaker, Timo Harakka in parliament on Tuesday. Photo Lehtikuva.

“This is an arrangement which a 90-year-old family-owned company made in case of a possible sale, which never materialised. The family-owned company has always worked in Finland and always paid taxes to Finland,” Toivakka added.

 

Toivakka admitted that she owns two per cent of the company but denied any involvement in the company’s operations.

 

“I ask you to check the facts before lying in this hall,” Toivakka added.

 

At this point, the acting speaker, Paula Risikko intervened amidst the uproar and called for using the formal code of speech.

 

Toivakka called Harakka soon afterwards, expressing regret on her choice of words.