434 research outputs found
The Big Leap to the West: The Impact of EU on the Finnish Political System. ZEI Discussion Papers: 2001, C 89
Get PDFIntroduction. When analysing Finland’s integration policy, one is struck by the speed with which the political leadership turned its gaze from the East to the West. Within less than a decade Finland changed his status from a nonaligned country with close political relations with the Soviet Union to a full member of both the European Union (EU) and the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). It was not enough that Finland just joined the EU: the last three Finnish governments, starting from the centre-right coalition cabinet which took office in 1991, have decided that Finland’s place is in the inner core of the union. While rhetorically claiming to be interested in developing the EU as an intergovernmental project, the practical steps taken have shown that the recent governments have been willing to support and also put forward initiatives that strengthen the supranational nature of the Union. Finland has not at any instance seriously questioned the general development of integration: in this sense it has become a harmless participant in the inner core of the Union. Several observers have praised Finland’s commitment to integration. Finns have received credit from their European colleagues for their pragmatic and co-operative approach. For example, according to The Economist: Since joining the EU in 1995, and despite coming from its most distant edge, they [the Finns] have displayed an almost uncanny mastery of its workings. Many point to them as the very model of how a "small country" (vast in land mass, but with only 5.2 m people) should operate within the EU’s institutions: not preachy like the Swedes, not difficult like the Danes, not over-ambitious like the Austrians, merely modest and purposeful, matching a sense of principle with a sense of proportion. Another example was given by the European Voice, which in its leader, titled "Finnish presidency ends on triumphant note", argued among other things that ‘the Finnish presidency has proved once again that small countries are often the most adept at managing the EU’s business’ and that ‘the Finns have shown that a presidency which begins on an unauspicious note can end with plaudits from all sides’. The Finnish determined approach stands in contrast to the hesitant EU policies of both Denmark and Sweden. What explains this pragmatism and commitment to integration? Does the public share the commitment shown by the political elite? We argue that Finnish integration policy is very much driven by the need to secure her place among the Western European countries and to influence EU decisions in order to protect national interests. Support for the deepening of integration or for federalism is weak among the public and the parties, with integration primarily seen as an efficient way of furthering national economic and security objectives. The chapter is divided into six sections. In the next part we present the reasons that led Finland to apply for European Community (EC) membership. The third part focuses on the 1994 referendum and explores its main issues and cleavages. In the fourth section we analyse the impact of membership on party politics and administration. Europeanisation of the Finnish polity and public opinion are examined in section five. In the concluding section we discuss briefly the main aspects of Finnish integration policy, with emphasis on the future development of the Union
Finland: disagreements over the EU’s future could produce a lively European election campaign
No full textPolitics in Finland has become increasingly polarised since the country’s 2023 parliamentary election. Tapio Raunio writes that with divisions now apparent between Finnish parties on Europe, this year’s European Parliament election campaign could be more lively than usual.Non peer reviewe
The pendulum swings to the right again in Finland
No full textFinland’s election on 2 April ended in defeat for Sanna Marin’s ruling Social Democrats, with the opposition National Coalition Party finishing in first place. Tapio Raunio reflects on the result of the election and assesses what might come next for Finland.<br/>Peer reviewe
Alexander Stubb’s transition to Finnish Prime Minister ensures Finland will have a pro-EU leader despite a Eurosceptic public
No full textOn 14 June, Alexander Stubb was selected as the new leader of Finland’s ruling National Coalition Party, ensuring that he will become the country’s next Prime Minister. Tapio Raunio writes on the impact the appointment will have ahead of the country’s 2015 parliamentary elections. He argues that Stubb’s pro-EU views and desire to take Finland into NATO will set the background for the upcoming election campaign, with the Eurosceptic Finns Party in particular likely to lead opposition to the government
Continuity in Finland as Sauli Niinistö is re-elected as President
Get PDFOn 28 January, Sauli Niinistö was re-elected as Finland's President in the first round of voting. Tapio Raunio explains that with voters clearly approving of Niinistö's track record in office, the other mainstream candidates found it extremely difficult to challenge him. The result means continuity for Finnish politics: Niinistö is not in favour of NATO membership, but supports the development of the EU’s security and defence policy, bilateral security policy cooperation with Sweden, and maintaining close ties with NATO
Finland’s 2015 parliamentary elections: a final look at the parties and the polling
No full textFinland will hold parliamentary elections on 19 April. Tapio Raunio previews the vote, noting that the Centre Party, which lost power after suffering a dramatic drop in support in the 2011 elections, is set to regain its position as the largest party in the country. With Finland possessing a tradition of ideologically fragmented coalitions, however, the election remains all to play for with several smaller parties vying to enter the next government
Brexit May Force a Rethink for Finland’s Eurosceptics
Get PDFFollowing the UK’s EU referendum, there is a lack of appetite in Finland to hold a similar vote on EU membership or the euro, writes Tapio Raunio. He notes that the main proponent of EU referendums, the Finns Party, is currently limited by its role in the coalition government, and that the economic and political fallout for the UK may give Eurosceptics in Finland pause for thought
Finland’s Recent Citizens’ Initiative Will Not Threaten Its Euro Membership
Get PDFThe current citizens’ initiative in Finland on the euro has its roots in public opposition to the single currency, but has no serious prospect of forcing a change, writes Tapio Raunio. He argues that the initiative symbolises the politicisation of the EU in Finland since the start of the Eurocrisis and that, while this has constrained the government’s ability to act in some areas, it has also brought about greater public debate on European issues
Finland in the European Union : Tapio Raunio and Teija Tiilikainen<em><em>London, Frank Cass, 2003, ISBN 0 7146 8309 4</em></em>
No full textreview of a book by Tapio Raunio and Teija Tiilikainen ; London, Frank Cass, 2003, ISBN 0 7146 8309 4 </p
sj-docx-3-ips-10.1177_01925121241237527 – Supplemental material for Taking intra-executive politics into public arenas? Analysis of presidential speeches in six semi-presidential European countries
No full textSupplemental material, sj-docx-3-ips-10.1177_01925121241237527 for Taking intra-executive politics into public arenas? Analysis of presidential speeches in six semi-presidential European countries by Maarika Kujanen, Vesa Koskimaa and Tapio Raunio in International Political Science Review</p
- …
