June 20, 2006. Copyright 2006, Graphic News. All rights reserved

Finnish Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen prepares to take the EU helm
By Joanna Griffin

LONDON, June 20, Graphic News:  Just months after losing his bid to become FinlandÕs president, Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen should get a chance to recover his confidence and enhance his global profile when the Nordic nation takes over the rotating EU presidency at the start of July.

However, his turn at the podium is already being overshadowed by concerns about the democratic health of neighbouring Russia. Vanhanen has said Finland will not shirk its reponsibility in this regard. ÒThere has to be political dialogue (with Russia) on human rights and democracy, as there is with many of our other partners,Ó he said.

His remarks came after a fellow MP expressed concern about increasing authoritarianism in Vladimir PutinÕs Russia, FinlandÕs biggest trading partner. And while efforts to build EU cooperation with Russia are sure to be at the heart of VanhanenÕs agenda for the next six months -- culminating in a summit in November -- they also explain why the self-described ÒEuroscepticÓ is a strong advocate of further enlargement.

The twin priorities of national security and EU development have shaped VanhanenÕs career. Born on November 4, 1955, he graduated in political science before working as a journalist and then editor in chief of the daily Kehasanomat. At the same time, he began carving out a political career as chairman of the Union of Centre Youth, the youth wing of the Centre Party. Today he is chairman of the Centre Party.

After being elected to Parliament in 1991, Vanhanen was outspoken on ecological issues, and fiercely opposed the construction of a fifth nuclear plant in Finland. After prolonged debate, parliament voted in favour of the plant, which is now due for completion in 2010.

Vanhanen, an expert in EU affairs, also served on the Constitutional Convention, where he reportedly clashed with French veteran politician ValŽry Giscard dÕEstaing. Vanhanen, who has said he is ÒunenthusiasticÓ about EU cooperation, resists domination by the bigger members but is pragmatic enough to realise that FinlandÕs future hinges on the union.

He is a strong advocate of further EU enlargement, and FinlandÕs presidency comes as Bulgaria and Romania prepare to join in 2007, and amid continued monitoring of Croatia and Turkey for possible membership.

VanhanenÕs first ministerial post came in 2003, when he was handed the defence portfolio by the countryÕs first woman prime minister, Anneli Jatteenmaki. After a row about how she obtained secret documents led to her resignation just 63 days later, Vanhanen was the Centre PartyÕs automatic candidate to take over as Prime Minister.

At the time commentators asked whether his perceived blandness might help to restore public faith in his battered party. Unusually in Finland, Vanhanen is teetotal -- he lists chopping wood and his two children as his main interests though his recent divorce from wife Merja may have dented his reputation as a family man.

While a lack of charisma may have helped him as prime minister -- he is seen as honest if a little boring -- it was not enough to give him a shot at the presidency earlier this year. He challenged incumbent Tarja Halonen but did not qualify for the run-off, winning just 18 percent of the vote.

His father is Professor Tatu Vanhanen, author of the controversial book, IQ and the Wealth of Nations.
/ENDS