Minister of Economic Affairs Mika Lintilä (Cen) has again denied allegations about his alcohol use at a campaign stop in the North Ostrobothnia municipality of Kalajoki.
"Alcohol has not affected my work in any way, and I have not heard anyone say that it has impacted my work," Lintilä said.
As for whether he has used alcohol excessively during his official duties, Lintilä was firm in his response.
"I have not. If you've been in Parliament for 24 years, more than six years as a member of the Council of State, you can't have a career like that if alcohol plays such a big role," he emphasised.
Lintilä added that he did not have a problem with alcohol.
He said he did not want to dwell on how these allegations would affect his campaign, but told reporters that he is campaigning as strongly as possible ahead of the 2 April election.
"Yes, it feels pretty tough, that now my reputation has been tainted. But it is absolutely clear that I will campaign to the best of my ability," Lintilä told reporters.
Support from Centre Party leaders
Lintilä was in Kalajoki to join MP Mikko Kinnunen (Cen) on the election trail in Kinnunen's home electoral district.
Multiple reports surfaced last week about Lintilä's alleged alcohol use during his official ministerial duties, which were denied by Centre Party leaders.
On Monday, Centre Party Chair and Finance Minister Annika Saarikko stood by Lintilä, saying that she was satisfied with the work he had done. However, Saarikko did not directly answer an Yle question regarding Lintilä's alcohol use.
Saarikko remarked over the weekend that the allegations were "harsh and anonymous".
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