This morning, I was reading the Finnish tabloid Iltalehti online. The paper reports that soon, maybe even later this year, the use of mobile phones will be allowed on European flights. So soon there is no more of travelling without having to listen to the ugly, or boring, or sick details of someone’s life. I travel by aeroplane about three times a year and truly appreciate the fact that it remains the last means of travelling where ringing and beeping of mobiles is non-existent.
But this is the direction of development. Modern technology penetrates every aspect of our lives. It was only a matter of time they figured out a way of using mobiles up in the air safely. In fact, it is more of a surprise it wasn’t done already.
No one might realise just yet, but a twist in the way we communicate might be lurking just around the corner. Yesterday it emerged that the UK government is planning a database where all e-mail messages and phone calls could be saved. We are talking about every single e-mail anyone sends, every single phone call anyone makes. And it doesn't end there; they also want to keep records of time spent online. It sounds outrageous and that is exactly what it is. This is yet another blow to anyone who hopes to cling on to the sense of freedom and privacy we once had. Life is becoming more and more monitored. New ideas to control and restrict are constantly put forward by those in power- all in the name of national and international security. Just look at the demands the police and some politicians are making to be able to hold supposedly innocent people for up to 90 days just because they fit the stereotype of an Islamic terrorist. Britain is following in the lead of USA and we are stepping into the culture of fear and law suits to anyone for anything. What is there to do?
Back to the point: communication. If the government was to follow their horrible plan of establishing a super-database for all e-mails, people are left with only one safe and private way of communication. That is the old-fashioned letter. They cannot open all your hand written letters and save a copy. It will take more time to write, but at least your thoughts will be what they should be- private. It is a curious thought how things may turn backwards when the spying tentacles of modern life become too much to handle.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
'Veteran' Vayrynen still playing a tactical game ahead of the forming of the new government
The mandates of the MPs were checked yestarday. Centre Party's Paavo Vayrynen, however, has decided not to get his mandate verified. Vayrynen is a member of the European Parliament. He has announced that unless he gets a ministerial post or is chosen as the Speaker of the Parliament, he will carry on his work in the European Parliament.
Vayrynen's decision means that at the moment the National Coalition (NCP) and the Center Parties both have 50 seats in the Parliament.
If Vayrynen had had his mandate checked he would be unable to carry on in the European Parliament. So Vayrynen is securing he still has the next best post (in Vayrynen's view) if he is not elected as the Speaker or as a Secretary of State. For him, it seems, being 'just' a member of the Finnish Parliament is the least appealing choise. Vayrynen belongs to the group of 'veteran' politicians as he already has a long political path behind him. Indeed, he has been involved in politics longer than I can remember. In my view he has always been the one, who somehow manages to stir things up and cause reactions from the public. I can understand Vayrynen's ambition to get a senior government post, but his tactics are sure to anger some people. And according to Finnish national tabloid Iltalehti (fi), they already have.
Negotiations to form the new government are due to start on Thursday. Vanhanen is likely to lead the process.
Meanwhile, harri Jaskari, the former party secretary of NCP and newly elected MP, has been convicted of threatening to kill his ex- girlfriend. Jaskari expressed his shock over the court's decision, and insisted that he was innocent. Jaskari was first suspected of pimping the ex-girlfriend, and of other threats, but charges were not brought against him due to lack of evidence.
The scandal, obvoiusly, didn't damage Jaskari's reputation as much as to stop him from being elected.
Vayrynen's decision means that at the moment the National Coalition (NCP) and the Center Parties both have 50 seats in the Parliament.
If Vayrynen had had his mandate checked he would be unable to carry on in the European Parliament. So Vayrynen is securing he still has the next best post (in Vayrynen's view) if he is not elected as the Speaker or as a Secretary of State. For him, it seems, being 'just' a member of the Finnish Parliament is the least appealing choise. Vayrynen belongs to the group of 'veteran' politicians as he already has a long political path behind him. Indeed, he has been involved in politics longer than I can remember. In my view he has always been the one, who somehow manages to stir things up and cause reactions from the public. I can understand Vayrynen's ambition to get a senior government post, but his tactics are sure to anger some people. And according to Finnish national tabloid Iltalehti (fi), they already have.
Negotiations to form the new government are due to start on Thursday. Vanhanen is likely to lead the process.
Meanwhile, harri Jaskari, the former party secretary of NCP and newly elected MP, has been convicted of threatening to kill his ex- girlfriend. Jaskari expressed his shock over the court's decision, and insisted that he was innocent. Jaskari was first suspected of pimping the ex-girlfriend, and of other threats, but charges were not brought against him due to lack of evidence.
The scandal, obvoiusly, didn't damage Jaskari's reputation as much as to stop him from being elected.
Monday, March 19, 2007
On the day after the polling day
Yesterday's elections were a triumph for the right wing National Coalition Party as they now have ten more seats in the Parliament than in the last term. The Center Party just managed to hold on to the majority of seats with 51 compared to National Coalition's 50. While the National Coalition celebrated its gains, the Social Democrats had to come to terms with apparently unexpected defeat by both of the big 'bourgeoisie' partys. It seems that there is a decline in the support of the labour parties as the Left Wing Alliance also lost seats. The liberal Green League was the only leftist party to gain seats.
The COFTU (Central Organisation for Finnish Trade Unions) adverts aimed at boosting the voting activity of its members may have had a counterproductive effect and triggered more conservative minded people to vote (fi).
The Christian Democrats kept the seats they already had and the Swedish People's Party gained one up from eight seats. The True Finns won two seats bringing the party's total to five.
Now that the elections are over, the next step is to form the new government. The process is lead by Center Party's chairman Matti Vanhanen who is likely to carry on as the Prime Minister. Vanhanen was quoted in Helsingin Sanomat (19.3.2007)(fi) saying all parties want to be a part of the new government but that a-four-party-government would be a good way of forming it. He also said that a government of 'the three big' (the Center Party, the Social Democratic Party and the National Coalition Party) is not an option.
I think Matti Vanhanen's view of the of the forming of the new government is healthy in his disinclination to only include the biggest parties. Finland has quite a healthy variety of poilitical parties holding seats in the Parliament which I see vital for good democracy. And too much power for a small group is never really a good way to go.
Although the country's voting percentage came down from last general elections' 69.7 to 67.8 there is something for all (who are for equality) to be happy about: The number of women in Parliament is now higher than ever at 84 (fi).
The COFTU (Central Organisation for Finnish Trade Unions) adverts aimed at boosting the voting activity of its members may have had a counterproductive effect and triggered more conservative minded people to vote (fi).
The Christian Democrats kept the seats they already had and the Swedish People's Party gained one up from eight seats. The True Finns won two seats bringing the party's total to five.
Now that the elections are over, the next step is to form the new government. The process is lead by Center Party's chairman Matti Vanhanen who is likely to carry on as the Prime Minister. Vanhanen was quoted in Helsingin Sanomat (19.3.2007)(fi) saying all parties want to be a part of the new government but that a-four-party-government would be a good way of forming it. He also said that a government of 'the three big' (the Center Party, the Social Democratic Party and the National Coalition Party) is not an option.
I think Matti Vanhanen's view of the of the forming of the new government is healthy in his disinclination to only include the biggest parties. Finland has quite a healthy variety of poilitical parties holding seats in the Parliament which I see vital for good democracy. And too much power for a small group is never really a good way to go.
Although the country's voting percentage came down from last general elections' 69.7 to 67.8 there is something for all (who are for equality) to be happy about: The number of women in Parliament is now higher than ever at 84 (fi).
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Campaigning will go on until the last moment
Finnish political parties have changed their stance on campaigning until the last minute (Fi)before the polling stations are closed (The link leads to a Finnish weblog by a reporter of Helsingin Sanomat). In the past, campaigning has stopped the day before the elections. It seems that candidates now believe that it's worth taking any last chanse of scoring more votes.
Today, however, is the climax in campaigning(Fi) as parties are holding countless fairs all over Finland to attract more votes. The Social Democrats are traditionally giving out 100. 000 red roses to people.
Today, however, is the climax in campaigning(Fi) as parties are holding countless fairs all over Finland to attract more votes. The Social Democrats are traditionally giving out 100. 000 red roses to people.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
No vote, no moan!
If it was up to the Finnish youth, Center Party would carry on leading the country. Secondary, sixth form and vocational school students voted in the nationwide 'shadow' general elections (Fi) during last week and the results were published today. The Social Democratic Party came second best in the 'shadow' elections and the Left Wing Alliance third.
The purpose of the 'shadow' elections and dicussion panels is to encourage young people's activity and interest in politics, and to ensure that the future voters will actually use their right to vote. In my view, the 'shadow' elections are a good way of making teenagers more familiar to the whole polling process. It is the kind of 'political education' that is needed to make teenagers see that their vote counts. And isn't it true that if you don't vote you kind of lose your right to moan about the way the country is run?
According to YLE's (the Finnish national broadcasting company) website, Henri Vahakainu aka. Pikku G (Little G) came second in getting the most votes in the 'shadow' elections. Pikku G, who was born in 1987, is one of the youngest candidates standing for a place in the Parliament. Pikku G became known at 15 when he won a music competition and released a hip-hop album.
Pikku G is yet another example of a phenomenon very common in Finland: Celebrities pursuing a political career. It is a bit like models wanting to become actors or singers, or singers turning to acting (Not that I want to insult anyone, I'm just making a comparison to another commonly occuring trend). The current Culture Secretary Tanja Saarela is former Miss Finland. She was first elected to the Parliament in 1999.
Tony Halme of the True Finns is an extreme example of 'celebrities' who have been elected in general elections. The former boxer and World Wrestling Etertainment wrestler has a reputation of violent and drunken behaviour as well as controversial opinions. He has been on 'sick leave' from the Parliament for several occasions for reasons also controversial.
It always seems to anger many people when someone like Saarela or Halme starts an election campaign, let alone their raection if they actually get elected. While many witnessed Halme's success in the general elections of 2003 with some degree of horror, I think that some kind of truth can be found in that very politically uncorrect comment that Halme made right after the elections: he stated that if a lesbian [Tarja Halonen] can be president and he [Halme] can get in the Parliament, anything is possible (Halme later apologised publicly to President Halonen claiming he was under the impression that she is a lesbian). While Halme's comment wasn't acceptable, I think it- in a rather ironic way- underlines that in democracy anyone can stand as a candidate and get elected. Obviously Halme's supporters see him as the person who can best represent them in the Parliament.
The purpose of the 'shadow' elections and dicussion panels is to encourage young people's activity and interest in politics, and to ensure that the future voters will actually use their right to vote. In my view, the 'shadow' elections are a good way of making teenagers more familiar to the whole polling process. It is the kind of 'political education' that is needed to make teenagers see that their vote counts. And isn't it true that if you don't vote you kind of lose your right to moan about the way the country is run?
According to YLE's (the Finnish national broadcasting company) website, Henri Vahakainu aka. Pikku G (Little G) came second in getting the most votes in the 'shadow' elections. Pikku G, who was born in 1987, is one of the youngest candidates standing for a place in the Parliament. Pikku G became known at 15 when he won a music competition and released a hip-hop album.
Pikku G is yet another example of a phenomenon very common in Finland: Celebrities pursuing a political career. It is a bit like models wanting to become actors or singers, or singers turning to acting (Not that I want to insult anyone, I'm just making a comparison to another commonly occuring trend). The current Culture Secretary Tanja Saarela is former Miss Finland. She was first elected to the Parliament in 1999.
Tony Halme of the True Finns is an extreme example of 'celebrities' who have been elected in general elections. The former boxer and World Wrestling Etertainment wrestler has a reputation of violent and drunken behaviour as well as controversial opinions. He has been on 'sick leave' from the Parliament for several occasions for reasons also controversial.
It always seems to anger many people when someone like Saarela or Halme starts an election campaign, let alone their raection if they actually get elected. While many witnessed Halme's success in the general elections of 2003 with some degree of horror, I think that some kind of truth can be found in that very politically uncorrect comment that Halme made right after the elections: he stated that if a lesbian [Tarja Halonen] can be president and he [Halme] can get in the Parliament, anything is possible (Halme later apologised publicly to President Halonen claiming he was under the impression that she is a lesbian). While Halme's comment wasn't acceptable, I think it- in a rather ironic way- underlines that in democracy anyone can stand as a candidate and get elected. Obviously Halme's supporters see him as the person who can best represent them in the Parliament.
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Advance voting started today
Over 850 polling stations opened for advance voting this morning. While the actual voting date is set to be on the 18th of March 2007, advance voting runs from today until the 13th of March. Finns abroad can vote at finnish embassies from today until the 10th of March. In prevoius years' elections, presidential as well as parliamentary, advance voting has been increasingly popular.
A quick guide to Finnish politics
Finland is a constitutional republic whose head of state is the president. Presidential Elections are held every six years and the president is elected by a direct vote. One person can hold the post for a maximum of two terms. The current president is Tarja Halonen who is the first female president of Finland. She was first elected in 2000 and re-elected last year.
The parliament of Finland has 200 representatives elected by a direct proportional vote every four years. The proportional system ensures that representatives are elected from all over the country. The Prime Minister is appointed by the President once the Parliament has elected him/her.
In the Parliamentary elections of 2003, 75 of elected representatives were women. Finland's record in equality in politics is something for the Finns to be proud of. Finland was the first country in the world to grant women full parliamentary rights (year 1906).
Finalnd has had a female Prime Minister (Anneli Jaatteenmaki, Centre Party) only once, but her time in office only lasted for two months and a day (17.4- 18.6. 2003). She was caught up in the middle of a scandal about leaked secret documents. Vanhanen has been the Prime Minister since Jaatteenmaki was forced to resign
.
The number of political parties in Finland is relatively high at 16 of which 8 hold seats in the Parliament. Currently, the Centre Party has the most seats in the Parliament. The other seven parties holding seats are the Social Democratic Party, the National Coalition Party (Kokoomus, Fi), the Left Wing Alliance (Fi), the Green League (Fi), the Swedish People's Party (Fi), the Christian Democrats (Fi) and the True Finns (Fi). One seat, however, is reserved for the representative of province of Aland (Aland is an autonomous province of Finland).
Finland has been a member of European Union since 1995 and member of United Nations since 1955. Finland changed its currency from its national 'markka', Fin Mark (FIM) to Euro (EUR) in 2002.
The parliament of Finland has 200 representatives elected by a direct proportional vote every four years. The proportional system ensures that representatives are elected from all over the country. The Prime Minister is appointed by the President once the Parliament has elected him/her.
In the Parliamentary elections of 2003, 75 of elected representatives were women. Finland's record in equality in politics is something for the Finns to be proud of. Finland was the first country in the world to grant women full parliamentary rights (year 1906).
Finalnd has had a female Prime Minister (Anneli Jaatteenmaki, Centre Party) only once, but her time in office only lasted for two months and a day (17.4- 18.6. 2003). She was caught up in the middle of a scandal about leaked secret documents. Vanhanen has been the Prime Minister since Jaatteenmaki was forced to resign
.
The number of political parties in Finland is relatively high at 16 of which 8 hold seats in the Parliament. Currently, the Centre Party has the most seats in the Parliament. The other seven parties holding seats are the Social Democratic Party, the National Coalition Party (Kokoomus, Fi), the Left Wing Alliance (Fi), the Green League (Fi), the Swedish People's Party (Fi), the Christian Democrats (Fi) and the True Finns (Fi). One seat, however, is reserved for the representative of province of Aland (Aland is an autonomous province of Finland).
Finland has been a member of European Union since 1995 and member of United Nations since 1955. Finland changed its currency from its national 'markka', Fin Mark (FIM) to Euro (EUR) in 2002.
The Parliament of Finland celebrates its centennial this year. The celebrations started in June last year and will go on until the end of May 2007. The theme is: "The right to vote- trust in law. One hundred years of Finnish democracy."
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