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Soini: Gov't has set a trap for itself

Opposition Finns Party leader Timo Soini told Yle on Saturday that the government has set a trap for itself, and that if it fails to make radical decisions in its upcoming budget review, early elections will not be out of the question.

Timo Soini
Timo Soini Aamu-tv:ssä 23.1.2013 Image: Yle

Interviewed on Yle TV1 on Saturday, Soini had nothing good to say about the mid-term budget review talks the government has planned for late this month.

"Nothing has been accomplished. If you look at the government's record up to now, the fact is that cabinet ministers have busied themselves with their own sectors and the government's overall policy line has been inadequate. Everything shows that relations between the Conservatives and the Social Democrats are very strained," said Soini.

The Finns Party leader was also pessimistic about the potential for beneficial change coming out of cabinet talks on budget issues that start in a few weeks’ time.

"The government has set such a trap for itself that if really big, radical decisions are not forthcoming, it will in fact worsen expectations and create a situation in which nothing permanent can be done until the next elections. It is not out of the question, if the government fails, that there will be early elections in Finland," Timo Soini predicted.

Soini - Haglund war of words

Soini also commented again on reaction to his recent appearance on the BBC's Hardtalk interview programme.

Following that broadcast, Defence Minister Carl Haglund, of the Swedish People's Party lashed out at the Finns party leader for what he saw as Soini glossing over racism within his party.

On Saturday, Soini said that "everyone can see" that there was nothing to Haglund's claim.

Puolustusministeri Carl Haglund.
Defence Minister Carl Haglund Image: Heikki Saukkomaa / Lehtikuva

"It's Haglund's way of keeping the Swedish People's Party in the limelight," said Soini.

The Finns Party chairman was asked if it is true that he has refused to appear at public functions with Haglund.

"Yes, it is. I will not give him another opportunity to spread this totally false impression in public," Soini responded.

Later on Saturday, Carl Haglund described Soini's action as part of a political game aimed to avoid answering serious questions.

"In my opinion, this shows that in this matter Timo Soini is lacking in arguments," Haglund told Yle.

Haglund also denied Soini's charge that he was only attempting to promote his own party.

"I think that as chairman of the SPP it is my job to promote issues that are important to us. Tolerance is an important theme for us, so this is very natural," Haglund explained.