Finland Sets Gaze on EU Post for Olli Rehn
Image: EPA / OLIVIER HOSLET
Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen says the chances of winning a top EU position for Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn have improved following the recent nominations of EU president and foreign policy chief. President Tarja Halonen praised the two chosen for the posts.
On Thursday, Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy, a Christian Democrat, was selected to serve as EU president. Trade Commissioner Catherine Ashton, from Britain's ruling Labour Party, was chosen as foreign policy chief. The nominations must still be approved by the European Parliament. The two are to take office on December 1.
“Rehn’s chances are improved because he performed his duties exceptionally well in two commissions and is highly respected. Another thing improving his chances is that the position of a liberal for an appointment is more likely following these two nominations,” Vanhanen said.
However, the premier declined to specify any particular post that Finland has its eyes on. Some observers have suggested Rehn would be suited to the role of Trade Commissioner, which was last held by Ashton.
President Hails Choice of Woman
President Halonen says that Finland did its best in offering candidates for the two top jobs.
She added that she was delighted that a woman was selected for the foreign policy post, and was sure that the two who were chosen have all the prerequisites to carry out their jobs well.
Finnish Names Discussed
The prime minister represented Finland on Thursday as European leaders gathered in Brussels to choose top EU posts. Several veteran Finnish politicians had been named as possible candidates.
Rehn was Finland's official candidate for the posts of president or foreign policy chief. Former Finnish prime minister, speaker of Parliament and SDP chair Paavo Lipponen was considered a long-shot candidate for the post of president, which was widely expected to go to a centre-right man from one of the old EU countries.
The New York Times and The Economist magazine had both speculated that Nobel laureate and former President Martti Ahtisaari could be on the short list of candidates. Their lists also included Lipponen.
YLE, Reuters, AP