Pekka Haavisto (Greens) was photographed in the Parliament Annex in Helsinki on 22 May 2024. Haavisto is close to being named a UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, according to a report published by Ilta-Sanomat on Thursday. (Vesa Moilanen – Lehtikuva)
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PEKKA HAAVISTO (Greens), an ex-Finnish minister for foreign affairs, is close to being appointed as a Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process at the United Nations (UNSCO), according to Ilta-Sanomat.
Ilta-Sanomat on Thursday wrote that the appointment has yet to be confirmed and that the role may be specified or expanded as the nomination process moves forward.
Haavisto announced only a day earlier he is dropping out of the mayoral race in Helsinki, citing a “possible international role”.
“Foreign policy and peace building have for years been at the core of my work. In a world of conflicts, there is a growing need for peace building, and I know that I would not be able to focus fully on municipal politics in this circumstance,” he explained in a statement issued on Wednesday, 13 November.
Salla Merikukka, the chairperson of the Greens on Helsinki City Council, said to Helsingin Sanomat that she learnt about the withdrawal on Wednesday morning, admitting that the news came as a complete surprise.
“We talked about the candidacy with Haavisto for a long time. This is the conclusion he reached based on his consideration, and we’ll continue to prepare [for the elections] in other ways,” she said.
Both Merikukka and Sofia Virta, the chairperson of the Green League, expressed their confidence that the party can find a competitive candidate for the mayoral race.
“I believe that there are many who are interested in the candidacy, and I hope that the race will draw visibility. We have many nationally recognised options who’ve been engaged in local politics for a long time and with piety,” assured Merikukka.
When asked whether the party can put forward a candidate with as much appeal as Haavisto, she quipped: “Does any party? Pekka’s know-how is in a class of its own.”
Greens optimistic despite losing two big names
The Green League was hoping Haavisto’s lead candidacy could propel it from the second largest to the largest party on the Helsinki City Council. Merikukka insisted that the surprise withdrawal does not leave the party in disarray.
“We’re not in crisis. We’ll get a mayoral candidate whose leadership will allow us to fight for the status of the largest party. It won’t be easy, and it wouldn’t have been easy even if Pekka were our candidate. But it’s possible,” she commented to Helsingin Sanomat.
The plan, she added, is to nominate the mayoral candidate in the autumn meeting scheduled to take place on 14 December.
Deputy Mayor for Urban Development Anni Sinnemäki (Greens), who for the past decade has been one of the most prominent decision makers in the Finnish capital, announced last month she is not interested in running for the mayor’s office. Fatim Diarra (Greens), a first-term Member of Parliament and chairperson of the Helsinki City Council, has expressed her interest in the lead candidacy in Helsinki.
The mayor will be elected in conjunction with the local elections held in Finland on 13 April 2025.
Five other political parties have already named their top-of-the-ticket candidate in Helsinki. Deputy Mayor for Social Services, Health Care and Rescue Services Daniel Sazonov will lead the ticket for the National Coalition, which with its 23 seats is the largest party on the 85-member Helsinki City Council.
Eveliina Heinäluoma, a second-term Member of Parliament, will top the ticket for the Social Democrats, Minister of Economic Affairs Wille Rydman for the Finns Party, Councillor Marcus Rantala for the Swedish People’s Party, and Councillor and ex-MP Terhi Peltokorpi for the Centre.
The Left Alliance has yet to announce its lead candidate, but the only viable and interested option appears to be Deputy Mayor for Culture and Leisure Paavo Arhinmäki.
The Green League is the second largest party on the council with 18 seats, followed by the Social Democrats (13), Left Alliance (11), Finns Party (9), Swedish People’s Party (5), Movement Now (3), Centre (2) and Christian Democrats (1).
Aleksi Teivainen – HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
