27.04.1999
PRESS RELEASE
Announcement
by the President of the Republic
The President of the Republic wishes to make
the following announcement:
I have
been asked by many quarters about my interest in
running for a second term in the coming Presidential
elections. The Finnish Social Democratic Party (SDP)
has asked me to respond by April 29, 1999.
I did announce at an early stage that I would not
make any decision on the matter during the first half
of this year. I was of the opinion that the
Parliamentary elections and the forming of the new
government should not be interfered with in any way.
In 1993, I was elected the SDP's Presidential
candidate in the party's primary elections. Since
being elected President of the Republic, I have done
my best to promote the interests of our country.
From the Finnish point of view, the international
situation has reached an unusually demanding stage.
Therefore, I want at the present moment to
concentrate fully on my duties as President of the
Republic. Launching an election campaign at the
moment, ten months before the end of my term and
shortly before the Finnish EU Presidency would
conflict with this aim. Therefore, I have today
informed the Chairman of the Social Democratic Party
that I do not consider myself free to seek
Presidential nomination in the SDP primary elections.
