Tuomioja ruffled feathers earlier this week by saying it was a pity that MEPs were no longer elected from among national parliaments. In his view, this would make the EU Parliament more responsible and representative.
This sparked an angry response from the leader of the EU´s Conservative bloc, Hans-Gert Pöttering, who said the comment was odd and irresponsible, and demanded an apology.
Tuomioja says that offended Euro-Parliamentarians are creating a storm in a teacup. Nonetheless Tuomioja sent a letter of explanation, which he stressed was not an apology. Vanhanen also soothed relations with a phone call to the Speaker of the European Parliament, but also denied making any apology on behalf of Tuomioja. Earlier the Foreign Minister had told the newspaper Turun Sanomat that the EU made pronouncements about matters over which it had no authority. Tuomioja Blames Stubb for Furore Tuomioja has expressed dismay over furore caused by his statement. He pointed the finger of blame at Finnish conservative MEP Alexander Stubb, saying charges of irresponsibility within the EU Parliament were largely his views. Stubb had criticised the Parliament for a lack of responsibility after it postponed a decision on the joint EU-Turkish customs deal. Tuomioja noted that statements by conservative MEPs do not give a good impression of the Parliament's conscience and tolerance. YLE24