Minister of Economic Affairs, Jan Vapaavuori has begun his campaign at a press conference in Helsinki on Friday. Photo – Lehtikuva.

Jan Vapaavuori, the Minister of Economic Affairs who is running for the leadership of the ruling Kansallinen Kokoomus (National Coalition Party) does not want to speculate on the future role of Alexander Stubb, if Vapaavuori is elected the party chief.

 

Introducing his manifesto in the race for the party chair at a press conference in Helsinki on Friday, Vapaavuori said that having a discussion with Stubb will be one of the first things he will do.

 

Stubb, who is the minister of European Affairs and Foreign Trade, was recently elected to the European parliament.

 

Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen on April 5 announced his decision to step down as the National Coalition Party chairman as well as the prime minister.

 

The party is scheduled to elect its new chairperson in June at a convention in Lahti. 

 

At Friday’s press conference Vapaavuori said that he expecting with curiosity and with an open mind what Suomen Sosialidemokraattinen Puolue (Social Democratic Party of Finland) and its new leader Antti Rinne have to present with regard to promoting economic growth during the mini-government discussions.

 

Vapaavuori emphasised that confidence in the ability of the country to take care of its economic affairs must not be undermined. According to Vapaavuori, better way than using state finance for investment would be to change some rules governing the economic life.