Finland Times

 

Prime Ministser Alexander Stubb and the Chair of the Centre Party Juha Sipilä (right) pictured together in the parliament hall in Helsinki on 7 October 2014. Photo – Lehtikuva.

Juha Sipilä, chair of the opposition Suomen Keskusta (Centre Party), said his attendance in the Economic Council meeting presided over by Prime Minister Alexander Stubb was not problematic in any way.

 

The premier had invited opposition leaders to attend the meeting. Among others, Vasemmistoliitto (Left Alliance) Chairperson Paavo Arhinmäki and Ville Niinistö, chair of the Vihreä Liito (Green League), also took part in the meeting.

 

However, another opposition leader, Perussuomalaiset (Finns Party) Chair Timo Soini, boycotted Wednesday’s meeting. Soini said his presence in the meeting would be hypocritical or even “pharisaical” while the True Finns were in the process of tabling an interpellation before parliament.

 

Soini, in a text message sent to the news agency STT, said he regards the decision to request former Swedish finance minister Anders Borg to prepare a report on Finland’s economic challenges as unfortunate. The Finns Party leader also remarked that Finance Minister Antti Rinne’s criticism of the premier’s request means the government lacks a clear policy.

 

Chair of the Centre Party Juha Sipilä (left), Chair of the Left Alliance Paavo Arhinmäki and the Chair of the Green League Ville Niinistö are seen here leaving the Economic Council meeting held at Kesäranta in Helsinki on 15 October 2014. Photo – Str / Lehtikuva.

The Centre Party chair, Juha Sipilä, told the news agency STT that nothing new about the economic situation was presented in the council’s evaluation meeting. 

 

Sipilä said he was waiting for the analysis on the solution reached by the labour market organisations, but there was not enough time to do so during the meeting. He also said his party would decide whether they will take part in the looming interpellation by the Finns Party.