Prime Minister Alexander Stubb, known as an active outdoor sportsman, said 'thanks but no thanks' to a gift from the south-central town of Heinola when he visited on Monday.
The premier was presented with a pair of state-of-the-art cross-country skis made by the local Peltonen factory, emblazoned with his name. However he turned down the souvenir, noting that state officials are forbidden to accept presents worth more than 300 euros.
“Unfortunately I’ll have to stick to my old pair of Peltonens,” said Stubb. “A fine gift, but it exceeds what I can accept.”
"Six thin years"
Stubb visited a small-business centre and checked out youth entrepreneurs’ projects, as well as stopping in at a local bakery.
“A fine day,” he told reporters. “The last time I visited Heinola, Ukraine and the Russian sanctions were at a critical phase so I had to break off my provincial visit. Today has given me energy,” said the prime minister, whose four-month-old government narrowly survived a vote of confidence in Parliament on Friday.
“Finland is in a transitional phase, when there’s lots of entrepreneurship and hidden potential. We’ve had six thin years and the future will also require a lot of adaptation. On the other hand companies are growing and popping up, in the gaming industry, the wood industry, health services – even from surprising quarters,” he mused.