Speech by the President of the Republic Tarja Halonen at the closing of the electoral period on 12 April 2011

(check against delivery)

Once again, Parliament has had a busy electoral period. The agenda has included topics ranging from the structures of regional government to the reform of university legislation. Amendments to the Election Act were left in abeyance. Parliament made decisions on the relations of co-habiting partners and on registered partnerships which affect the everyday lives of many people. The Government Resolution on the construction of additional nuclear power plants was the source of animated debate, and would surely have spurred even more debate in the wake of the tragedy that occurred in Japan.

The relations between the top organs of government were also among the major topics of the electoral period. Amendments to the Constitution affecting, for example, the powers of the President of the Republic, were left in abeyance by Parliament.

As noted by you, esteemed Speaker, certain aspects of the Government Bill were amended by Parliament in a quite visible manner. In the last stages of the reform it was decided that in cases where the President and the Government disagree, power of decision shall always lie with the plenary session of Parliament, and not, for example, with Parliamentary Committees.

As I am sure you all know my position on the need for and content of the reform, I shall not repeat it here in further detail. It is my hope that the proposed decision by the plenary session, made following a separate report, will serve to increase consideration and openness, thus promoting a spirit of conciliation. In time, practice will show how the changes affect various political atmospheres and power relationships. However, I am confident in saying that the key actors of the State will continue to need the will and capacity for healthy cooperation, and the humility to remember that in a democracy it is the people who grant the power. This surely comes easily to mind in election week.

As today’s decision-makers we also have a responsibility to future generations. The future of our nation and of all humankind requires sustainable development that respects the boundaries of our planet. The notion of three dimensions of sustainable development – economic growth, distributed on socially equal terms and within the limits of the environment – is widely acknowledged. This notion must also translate into concrete actions.

Sustainable development requires global measures. The current era of globalisation emphasises the role of the United Nations as the only truly global actor. The internationalisation of business operations and production increases the importance of the social responsibility of businesses. Many businesses have begun to view accountability as part of their success strategy. An active and globally networked civic society is an important opinion-maker.

Even in the era of globalisation, nation states bear the primary responsibility for socially equitable, environmentally sustainable and economically balanced development. Only states can make the international agreements that create sustainable development. We cannot shun our responsibility.

Since 2007 this Parliament has been forced to operate under the increasing pressures of globalisation. The world is one, and Finland part of it. We have the opportunity of contributing to a fairer world and a safer Finland.

The economic development in Europe has been one of the major and most difficult topics of discussion facing this Parliament. The issue will also be on the agenda of the next Parliament.

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Our home country is prosperous, with first-class international competitiveness. One of Finland’s success factors has been our ability to safeguard the well-being of all members of the community. Citizens value equality, the welfare state and public services. These require healthy and sound management of finances, with due consideration given to social fairness.

The Finnish education system has received wide acclaim. However, there is no escaping the fact that in international comparison the overall standard of our welfare does not equal that of our education system.

Inequality has even increased in several sectors. I am once again obliged to voice my concern for this negative development. The majority of Finns find increases in income inequality undesirable and would like to see income distributed more evenly. Long-term unemployment is on the rise. Growing inequality can be seen in various walks of life: in the lives of children and young people, in care for the elderly, in increased health inequalities. This violates the public notion of equitable treatment. The best way to eliminate poverty and to guarantee a good life is through decent work. Society must also ensure that its safety nets are in good order. It is my hope that these themes will be revisited during and after the election.

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Democracy, respect for human rights, the rule of law and social justice are values we have also vouched to support in international cooperation. The events on the southern shores of the Mediterranean now call for our support in practice. However, this support should not take a form that is imposed from outside but one that respects the will of the people.

The United Nations Security Council decided that the situation in Libya required intervention, particularly to ensure the protection of civilians and humanitarian aid. So strong a Resolution by the UN Security Council was made possible by the support of the region. Cooperation among the UN, the Arab League, the African Union, the European Union and the international community at large must continue to be close.

Finland is pleased that the UN Security Council approved the Resolution on Libya. Should the UN ask the European Union for crisis management support to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches those in need, Finland is prepared to give due consideration to this.

Crisis management cooperation within the EU is the result of a more coherent common foreign and security policy. At the time we joined as a member of the Union, only relatively modest advances had been made on a common foreign and security policy, but the direction was already clear. In this sense, we have been actively involved in creating a tighter Union; this spring, Finland is taking part in two EU Battlegroups.

Finland can only have one foreign policy. We have traditionally sought a broad consensus on the definitions and direction of foreign and security policy. It is my hope that this tradition continues, whether relating to the UN, the European Union, other international organisations or our bilateral relations.

This is also supported by long-term cooperation with Parliament, which includes security and defence policy reports. It is my opinion that the report procedure should be continued, as it guarantees a broad commitment to key security and defence policy decisions across electoral periods.

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I would like to thank you, esteemed Speaker, for your excellent cooperation, and to thank the entire Parliament for its work for the nation. I proclaim this electoral period of Parliament closed.