Speech by President of the Republic Tarja Halonen at the opening of the 2006 session of Parliament, 3 February 2006

(check against delivery)

Mr. Speaker
Members of Parliament

Our new Constitution has now been in effect for six years. For my part I can say that it has proved its worth. One of the main themes of the constitutional reform was to strengthen human rights. Economic, social and cultural rights were enshrined in the Constitution. The purpose of this was to highlight the consideration of basic rights in all functions of the authorities.

In general, people are well aware of their basic rights, but they consider that in practice these rights cannot always be exercised. There is dissatisfaction with the inequality that exists between population groups and between regions. Different parts of the country experience very different rates of economic development. Despite the system of government grants, the local authorities are struggling, as they are responsible for basic services and largely also produce them. The municipality and service structure reform now in progress is thus of the highest importance. I consider it important to ensure equitable regional development and that all people resident in Finland are guaranteed equal basic rights no matter where in Finland they live. I also hope that attention will be paid to the welfare gap between different social groups.

With regard to the highest institutions of government — Parliament, the President of the Republic and the Government itself — the Constitution emphasizes cooperation. Parliament holds a special position in this, being an institution representing the people and a legislative body. The President of the Republic, who is also elected directly by the people, and thus has a mutual relationship with Parliament, even if they are not as directly mutually dependent as Parliament and the Government are under the principle of parliamentarism.

Parliament and the President only meet rarely on an official basis, but they frequently address the same issues. In our modern democratic system, the networks of influence on common values are very complex. Meetings with parliamentary groups, committees and less formal groups have provided excellent opportunities for me to talk to Members of Parliament. I have welcomed and enjoyed such meetings, which have all been above board and respectful of the rules of parliamentarism.

The bilateral requirement of cooperation and codetermination imposed on the President and the Government by the Constitution in the management of foreign policy has worked well. It has served to emphasize the importance of a long-term foreign policy based on a broad consensus. While the international dimension has increased hugely in importance in our society, Finland still needs to have a single clear foreign policy. Created and maintained in cordial mutual understanding by the President and the Government, with the support of Parliament, it is easy to adhere to.

The opening of the present session of Parliament also marks the beginning of the centenary celebration of universal suffrage and thus of Parliament. On 1 June this year, 100 years will have elapsed from the date when the Diet of Estates approved a new Parliament Act and Election Act. In the days of the Diet of the Estates, voting was the prerogative of a narrow upper layer of society — privileged men. With the reform, the number of citizens entitled to vote increased by a factor of ten. Finnish women became the first in Europe and among the first in the world to gain the vote and the right to stand as candidates in national elections. The replacement of the Diet of the Estates with a unicameral Parliament marked a transition from oligarchy to what became the most democratic system in Europe.

In this centenary year, we might consider whether our political system requires reform. Voter turnouts have been declining and are now at a lower level than in the Nordic countries in general. What is particularly worrying is that young people and less fortunate members of society are conspicuously absent from the polling booths.

We must take steps to increase public interest in social matters and in the public good. Representative democracy — be it European, national or local — needs not only active voters but also those who are willing to donate their time and their expertise to the management of public affairs.

We have pursued a coherent foreign policy and international activities. As a result, we have good, smooth and wide-ranging relationships with our neighbours and other countries in the Baltic region. Finland is regarded as a sound and trustworthy partner near and far. For a small country such as ours, stability is vital for welfare and security.

Our security policy has for the last decade been based on a system of Government Reports. Its purpose is to promote open debate and long-term decision-making. These Government Reports are prepared jointly by the Government and the President. Parliament made a significant contribution to the preparation of the 2004 Government Report. Parliament’s response to Government following submission of a Government Report provides a parliamentary endorsement and guideline for the conducting of foreign policy. Parliament has proposed that the next Government Report be submitted in 2008.

The world is changing all the time, of course, but a broad-based long-term approach will reinforce our credibility internationally. We should also remember that the development of our Defence Forces in particular as regards training and equipment procurement is in any case a long-term task. By contrast, emerging situations may require a rapid response, and this may lead to structural considerations.

Parliament will be debating the Government Report on the Constitutional Treaty of the European Union in the session now beginning. The Government has informed me in advance of the content of this Report, and I have endorsed the policies it proposes.

The Constitutional Treaty would represent a clear improvement over the present Treaties. It would be in the interests of the European Union in general and of Finland in particular for the Constitutional Treaty to come into force. Debate on the Constitutional Treaty will be much to the fore during Finland’s coming EU Presidency. As Prime Minister Vanhanen has said, Finland will do its utmost to establish a consensus within the EU, and to this end we are working closely with the current holder of the Presidency, Austria.

Mr. Speaker
Members of Parliament

We have gathered here today to open the last session of Parliament in the current electoral period. The election next year will no doubt have an impact on the work of Parliament. Most Members of Parliament will presumably be standing for re-election, and there will be many new competing candidates too. More attention than usual will be focused on the work of Parliament and of its members during this session. I hope that this will encourage you in the pursuit of building national wellbeing.

I would like to congratulate the Speakers on the support you have received, to thank you for past cooperation and to wish you success and wisdom in your demanding work.

I hereby declare the 2006 session of Parliament open.