Jan Vapaavuori, a Vice-President at the European Investment Bank (EIB), has said he understands the decision of Carl Haglund not to seek re-election as the chairperson of the Swedish People's Party.
Haglund revealed in an interview with Helsingin Sanomat on Friday that he will hand over the reins of the Swedish People's Party in June because he no longer has the drive to seek a ministerial portfolio and has lost his faith in sensible policy-making.
“When one of our best politicians throws in the towel, it warrants thorough self-reflection on a number of fronts,” Vapaavuori writes on Facebook.
“I spent a lot of time with Calle [Haglund] during the final year of the previous Government – that is, the year he described as dreadful and that robbed him of his faith in politics. I personally have to agree on the issue – unfortunately,” the ex-Minister of Economic Affairs adds.
Haglund, who served as the Minister of Defence under Prime Ministers Jyrki Katainen (NCP) and Alexander Stubb (NCP), also indicated that the Government of Prime Minister Juha Sipilä (Centre) is hamstrung by the same problems as its predecessor.
“It was an absolutely dreadful year of horrible see-sawing and humming and hawing. What's even worse is that the same goes on today. It initially seemed as if the Government of Sipilä (Centre) was willing to work together, but it continues to wade through the mud. Am I ready to sacrifice a lot to find myself in the same slough after 2019? I can't muster up the motivation for that,” he told Helsingin Sanomat.
The Swedish People's Party is to elect a successor to Haglund in its party conference in June. Helsingin Sanomat also reports that his decision to relinquish the gavel came as a surprise to other members of the Swedish People's Party.
Ville Niinistö, the chairperson of the Green League, said he is both appreciative and disappointed with the decision of Haglund.
“It is unfortunate that he is stepping down, even though the reasons are, yet again, sound. I personally understand the family reasons very well as I am a shared-custody parent,” he writes on Facebook.
Haglund, he also estimates, describes the problems that arose during the last year of the previous electoral term accurately.
“I have also heard that the problems exacerbated especially after the Greens left the Government. Good co-operation and leadership are crucial for the efficient functioning of the Government. [These characteristics] have also eluded the Government of Sipilä. That is the kind of leadership Finland needs today,” he adds.
Aleksi Teivainen – HT
Photo: Petteri Paalasmaa – Uusi Suomi
Source: Uusi Suomi
