In a YLE radio interview on Sunday, Vanhanen took as an example a debate that as arisen on the payment terms for public child daycare. It was his view that the complexity of cabinet talks on a framework for the state budget has led to a debate on the issue that no one actually understands anymore.
"As we have seen, when a decision is taken that consists only of a headline and a stated goal but no content, it can lead to a whirlwind of debate that no one can make head nor tail of. I don't think this really serves any purpose," said the Prime Minister.
According to Vanhanen, public discussion of issues still under development by the cabinet can lead to misinterpretations. For that reason, in his view, it is best that only well advanced matters be brought before the public in order to avoid excessive mistrust.
Recusal "unnatural" The Prime Minister also took a position on whether or not cabinet ministers should disqualify themselves on some issues in which they have taken a public stand. Former Chancellor of Justice Paavo Nikula warned that ministers should refrain from expressing views on the issue of shifting some western parts of the Municipality of Sipoo under the jurisdiction of the City of Helsinki and that any who had should recluse themselves in this matter. Vanhanen said Sunday that any situation in which cabinet ministers cannot take part in the decision-making process is "unnatural". The new Justice Chancellor, Jaakko Jonkka, has said that the rules that apply to civil servants in such cases are not a good fit for the political decision-making process. YLE