Social movement presidential candidate Olli Rehn. LEHTIKUVA
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Presidential campaign slogan – Stable as a rock
Olli Rehn, born on 31 March, 1962 is the esteemed governor of the Bank of Finland, boasting a distinguished career in diverse EU portfolios. A dedicated member of the Centre Party, Rehn’s centrist principles shine through his political journey, encompassing roles like MEP, economic policy adviser, and Minister of Economic Affairs.
Early life
Olli Rehn’s early life before politics was shaped by his upbringing in Mikkeli, Finland. Raised in a family with a car parts business, he started working at age 12.
Olli Rehn, has a passion for football, having played professionally in his late teens. Despite his military conscription diverting him from a professional football path, Rehn continues to play on two teams.
A multilingual scholar, Rehn pursued studies in economics, international relations, and journalism at Macalester College and holds a master’s degree in political science and a D.Phil. from Oxford, exploring industrial competitiveness.
Political journey
Beginning in youth politics, he quickly ascended to the presidency of the Finnish Centre Youth in 1987. He was elected as a Helsinki city councillor in 1988.
Notably, Rehn’s trajectory led him to serve as vice president of the Centre Party from 1988 to 1994, culminating in his election to the Finnish Parliament in 1991. His duties extended to representing Finland in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and advising Prime Minister Esko Aho. A pivotal European shift occurred as he became an MEP, aligning with the liberal group.
Despite a brief academic hiatus, Rehn’s political journey persisted with an appointment as an economic policy adviser to the prime minister in 2003. As a member of the Prodi Commission, he played a crucial role in the EU’s enlargement, overseeing Bulgaria and Romania’s accession in 2007, all while navigating controversies surrounding Turkish membership.
Rehn’s tenure coincided with the European sovereign debt crisis, where he staunchly advocated for fiscal austerity. This stance drew criticism, while some viewed Rehn’s predictions disastrous. Despite facing opposition, Rehn continued to assert the necessity of fiscal discipline to navigate the crisis. Rehn’s expertise in handling the challenges of the euro crisis and Greece’s financial difficulties made him a prominent figure during his tenure as EU Commissioner.
Returning to Finnish politics in 2015, Rehn’s election to the Finnish Parliament and subsequent appointment as Minister of Economic Affairs marked a pivotal chapter. His role in steering Finland out of a recession through tax and spending cuts showcased his pragmatic approach. Following this, Rehn assumed a significant position as governor of the Bank of Finland in 2018, overseeing monetary policy and digitalization efforts. In 2023, Rehn raised concerns about the entries on central banks in the government program by the new government asserting that they may challenge the principle of central bank independence.
Despite a brief consideration for the IMF managing director role in 2019, Rehn withdrew his candidacy. In a surprising turn, he announced his independent candidacy for the 2024 presidential election, with support from Voters Association and Centre Party.
Presidential Elections
Known for his experience as the EU Commissioner for Enlargement and economic chief, Rehn intertwines the themes of security and a robust economy in his speeches. He has exuded team-oriented approach to nation building promoting the importance of wage earners.
Rehn’s economic views take center stage, with an emphasis on mediation solutions for working life disputes. One notable aspect is Rehn’s focus on social justice, intending to appeal to voters who may not distinguish between candidates solely based on foreign policy. This is a strategic move, especially as he enjoys the freedom to criticize the government more openly as an opposition party candidate, on the government’s budget cuts, particularly highlighting their impact on young people, students, single parents, and housing benefit recipients.
Rehn’s criticism peaks when he questions the government’s dedication to ensuring the security of Finland’s eastern border during the Christmas holidays. He contends that valuable time has been wasted by not preparing an expedited processing law for returning asylum seekers without grounds to Russia.
Olli Rehn emphasizes the importance of the Commander-in-Chief of the Defense Forces having a value for military service. Rehn stresses the need for the commander-in-chief to appreciate military service and actively participate in discussions about conscription development.
On the NATO front, Rehn stated that if Finland were to become a member of NATO, it should be willing to participate in conflicts covered by NATO’s security guarantees. However, he emphasized that Finland decides independently which forces to deploy. He also expressed concern that European member states aren’t allocating enough re
Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
