Finnish Parliament rejects interpellation against Tavio

MINISTER for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio (PS) on Wednesday received the backing of his fellow lawmakers by a vote of 99–74. All but one member of the four ruling parties who were present at the vote gave the minister their backing, thwa

By: helsinkitimes.fi

Oct 13 2024
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Finnish Parliament rejects int

MINISTER for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio (PS) on Wednesday received the backing of his fellow lawmakers by a vote of 99–74.

All but one member of the four ruling parties who were present at the vote gave the minister their backing, thwarting the interpellation brought against him over his decision not to participate in an alliance promoting a gender-responsive and inclusive recovery in Ukraine.

The sole exception was Eva Biaudet (SFP). She cast already her third blank vote on an interpellation brought against a cabinet member during this electoral term, having also refused to voice her confidence in Minister of Finance Riikka Purra (PS) and Minister of Economic Affairs Wille Rydman (PS) in September 2023.

“I was present and abstained from voting because I couldn’t support the minister,” she confirmed to Helsingin Sanomat on Wednesday.

“I think it’s a failure that the government didn’t rectify his decision, leaving an unusual amount of uncertainty over Finnish foreign policy,” she added, justifying her decision to also not give her confidence to the government.

The government secured the confidence of lawmakers by a vote of 98–76.

Tavio also received the support of two opposition members: Pekka Aittakumpu (Centre) and Timo Vornanen (TV). The Social Democratic Party brought the interpellation on grounds that the decision not to participate in the recovery alliance does not align with the foreign policy stance of Finland.

While interpellations have become a common – and largely inconsequential – occurrence in parliament, it is rare that they relate to foreign policy, reminded Helsingin Sanomat on Tuesday. Before yesterday, only two interpellations had been brought over issues related to foreign policy, the more recent one in 2012 and the other in 1922.

Aleksi Teivainen – HT