Finland needs a new prime minister

Finnish Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen has announced he will not seek re-election as chairman of the Centre Party of Finland and that he will step down as leader. The daily Lapin Kansa observes the scurrying among potential candidates for the job, including Foreign Trade Minister Paavo Väyrynen: "In his opinion above all one thing is now needed for the party leadership: experience. ... Väyrynen is generally being taken to mean that he himself has got what it takes. And Minister of Trade and Industry Mauri Pekkarinen has added more steam to the sauna by saying he's also considering running. Pekkarinen says the new chairman needs knowledge and ability, but also innovative political visions. ... Whatever happens, Matti Vanhanen's resignation at Christmas has brought movement into Finnish politics. Many who until now were content to look on from the sidelines must decide whether they'll join in the race. And many other parties are paying close attention to what's going on in the Centre Party. After all, that's where the country's next prime minister will be chosen."

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