Finland's Halonen and Sasi clash over president's powers

Finland's Halonen and Sasi clash over president's powers

Finland's Halonen and Sasi clash over president's powers
Local Finland News In English

Kimmo Sasi (cons), the chairman of the Finnish Parliament's constitutional law committee, forcefully defended the National Coalition party's position on the constitution on Sunday after the party's motive in calling for a reduction in presidential powers had been called into question by Tarja Halonen, the president.

The president had been quoted as saying by national daily Helsingin Sanomat that the Conservatives' desire to weaken the president's powers stemmed from Sauli Niinistö's (cons) narrow loss in the 2006 presidential election.

"A completely false evaluation," Mr Sasi was quoted as saying by Uusi Suomi, a news website. Source: Helsinki Times