Prime Minister Stubb’s Government visiting Mäntyniemi, the official residence of the President. Photo: Office of the President of the Republic.
President of the Republic Sauli Niinistö appointed the new Government on Tuesday, 24 June 2014. Led by Prime Minister Alexander Stubb, the new Government is Finland’s 73rd. At the Presidential session, the President of the Republic released the Ministers of Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen’s Government from their duties and appointed new Ministers. After the appointment and the first plenary session, the outgoing and new Governments visited the President at Mäntyniemi.
President Niinistö thanked outgoing Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen and his Government for the cooperation, and noted that its term of office was characterised by economic issues and the global financial crisis. ”Its impacts were impossible to avoid in Finland and in Europe. Quite rightly, your aim was to balance the national economy and to stimulate growth. Following Governments will need to set these same objectives.”
Outgoing Prime Minister Katainen shaking hands with President Niinistö. Photo: Office of the President of the Republic.
According to President Niinistö the plot, stage and set have constantly changed in EU politics. “Finland’s role, too, has changed: while still remaining faithful to the curriculum, the model student has been questioning the model.”
“Cooperation between the Government and the President has been smooth, also on the basis of the latest additions to the Constitution. However, we have perhaps had to share the experience of there being no need for further additions, at least not ones in the same direction. During the spring we witnessed how the importance of cooperation gains particular emphasis during crises, with the same issues being handled both within the EU and in other connections”, President Niinistö said.
“Show us!”
President Niinistö gave a call to action to the new Prime Minister and his Government. “The much-debated and repeatedly ‘decided’ structural reforms must now be settled and implemented for good. Demanding times lie ahead of you”.
The new Prime Minister Alexander Stubb greeting the President. Photo: Office of the President of the Republic.
The President reminded that demanding times are also an opportunity. They are an opportunity for all of us to show that this nation can still override hardships, even those thrown at us by the outside world. ”This is also an opportunity for the Government to prove its worth. There was talk of a ‘mini government programme’. This Government will also have a ‘mini’ term of office, but that doesn’t rule out our having a ‘maxi’ Government. Show us!”, the President urged.
In his speech President Niinistö also touched on the Ukrainian crisis and Finland’s security policy. ”Finding solutions and providing support are now the most important priorities. At the same time, we must also assess what all of this means – and what it does not mean – for Finland. One conclusion is obvious. We must take care of our own defence capability. This requires investment, perhaps greater than we have so far discussed.”
“There is another equally obvious conclusion to make: it is important to develop international cooperation on security policy and defence. This is our common duty. At the Kultaranta talks it was proposed that we assess the various sectors of our international security cooperation. This is an issue we can revisit at the meeting between the President of the Republic and the Cabinet Committee on Foreign and Security Policy.”
”A permanent vote of confidence”
President Niinistö concluded his speech with a note on the importance of confidence and courage. ”Decision-makers are expected to secure the setting for everyday life. A permanent vote of confidence is needed on this. Decision-makers are also expected to leave room for creativity and to understand both success and failure. Encouragement is needed, even if this means encouragement to do things differently”, the President said.
- President’s speech to the outgoing Government
- President’s speech to the new Government
- More information on the new Government and the Prime Ministers’ speeches on the Government’s website.
New members of the Government Laura Räty, Lenita Toivakka and Petteri Orpo greeting the President. Photo: Office of the President of the Republic.