Finland Times

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, after Harakka had accused Toivakka of doing business in Belgium for tax purposes.

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

The minister, however, stressed that she was never involved in the operational activities of the holding company established in Belgium.

Toivakka said she was not aware of the tax plan of the company, despite being a sitting member of its board.

According to Toivakka, the decision to establish the holding company in Belgium was taken by her husband.

Toivakka told the news agency STT that she did not discuss the matter with her husband.

“There are operational activities that I was not involved in, because I was working as an MP. There was no discussion. The establishment of the company and my position therein were all public information in the autumn,” Toivakka said.

Toivakka sat on the board of the family company, when it established a holding company in Belgium for tax purposes. The board has only two members: Toivakka and her husband.

Toivakka said she has not been involved in the company’s decision-making since 2005.

The Suomen Sosialidemokraattinen Puolue welcomed Toivakka’s apology.

According to SDP parliamentary group chair Antti Lindtman, Toivakka apologised for giving false information. He also said that MP Harakka’s reputation has been restored.

According to Lindtman, however, the party is now keeping a keen eye on the government action to eradicate tax evasion.

In his opinion, the government is mired and struggling with this issue.

The minister admitted earlier on the commercial broadcaster MTV’s morning programme ‘Good Morning Finland’ of being legally and nominally responsible for the company’s tax-planning decision.

Toivakka also apologised for leading parliament astray in her previous statement.