Summary:
Former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari turns 80 in June, and in celebration a campaign, Don’t tell Martti, has been launched to raise funds for the crisis management organisation CMI founded by Ahtisaari. The trick is that the campaign is supposed to remain a secret from Ahtisaari until his birthday, and CMI has asked the media to refrain from mentioning it in print and broadcast media. According to Elina Lehtinen, Head of Communications at CMI, the campaign has already exceeded expectations by raising more than 200,000 euros. The majority of the donations are from private citizens, and the average sum 15 euros.
Soini: French people have spoken, old parties collapsed
Summary:
Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini states that the traditional parties collapsed in the first round of the French presidential election. He notes that the French people have spoken. Mr Soini expects the second round, between independent centre candidate Emmanuel Macron and far-right candidate Marine Le Pen, to be interesting.
Media: Satakunnan Kansa
Date: 24.4.2017
Journalist: STT
Main source: Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini
Media sector unions urge Government to lower digital VAT
Summary:
Unions representing the media sector and publishers urge the Finnish Government to lower the VAT on digital publications. The unions say they are happy that the Government has supported the European Commission’s proposal to lower the digital VAT. The unions note that the lowered VAT should be put to use as soon as it becomes possible in the EU.
Media: Verkkouutiset / Nykypäivä
Date: 19.4.2017
Journalist: Heikki Jantunen
Main source: –
Surprise turn in Finnish economy – « This does look good »
Summary:
According to Statistics Finland, production in Finland was 3.0% higher in February 2017 than in February 2016, and production in January 2017 3.7% higher than in January 2016. OP’s Chief Economist Reijo Heiskanen pointed out on Twitter on Monday that the Finnish GDP has grown for two consecutive months. Also Nordea’s Chief Economist Aki Kangasharju is more confident than before and says it will interesting to see how far this development will last. He points out that the acceleration of economic growth must stem from investments.
Media: Iltalehti
Date: 17.4.2017
Journalist: Mika Koskinen
Main source: Nordea’s Chief Economist Aki Kangasharju
More than 80 per cent want Sauli Niinistö to run in presidential election
Summary:
82 per cent of Finns want President Sauli Niinistö to run in the presidential election next year, a survey by news site Verkkouutiset shows. Mr Niinistö’s popularity was even higher among men, of whom 86 per cent wanted him to run. 78 per cent of women supported Mr Niinistö. According to the survey, the majority of Finns are satisfied with Mr Niinistö’s presidency. Mr Niinistö has not yet told whether he will run in the election next year.
Media: Iltalehti
Date: 13.4.2017
Journalist: STT
Main source: –
Mykkänen in Minsk: Finland role model for both opposition and administration in Belarus
Summary:
Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Kai Mykkänen has discussed the weakened human rights situation in Belarus with both the opposition and the administration during his visit in the country. For example, the situation of the media is now weaker than in a long time. Mr Mykkänen notes that opposition MPs still feel they can act and discuss relatively freely and that the government has sought to discuss solutions even with more critical movements. Mr Mykkänen believes the administration wants to find out early what is causing concern among citizens in order to prevent wide protests. Mr Mykkänen says he wanted to make it clear that human rights violations would not be brushed under the carpet but that they affect the co-operation between the EU and Belarus.
Only Finland and Malta have been model students in internal relocation of refugees – disputed European Commission programme badly behind schedule
Summary:
Numbers released by the European Commission indicate that the internal relocation of asylum seekers is significantly behind schedule. Only Finland and Malta are on schedule. Finland originally abstained from voting on the relocation programme but has since then been a model student in implementing the programme. Finland has so far accepted 602 people from Italy and 738 from Greece. Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship Dimitris Avramopoulos says the Commission will put pressure on countries that are dragging their feet.
Media: Helsingin Sanomat
Date: 12.4.2017
Journalist: Pekka Mykkänen
Main source: Dimitris Avramopoulos, Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship
Finland established EU hybrid threat centre in Helsinki with nine other countries – “Finland too is a target of influence” says Foreign Minister Soini
Summary:
Helsingin Sanomat reports that Finland and nine other countries signed an agreement on the establishment of the EU center of excellence for countering hybrid threats in Helsinki. Foreign Minister Timo Soini noted that the centre represents concrete actions in improving resilience and cooperation between the EU and NATO. He finds it vital that cooperation between the two becomes deeper and stronger. Representing the European External Action Service, Air Commodore John Maas praised Finland for being active in the establishment process. According to Yle, Professor of Cyber Security Jarno Limnéll will be appointed as the Director of the centre.