Currently, Foreign Trade and Development Minister Paavo Väyrynen and Municipal Affairs Minister Mari Kiviniemi have announced their intention to seek the party leadership position. Trade and Industry Minister Mauri Pekkarinen has said that he might consider seeking the position. A survey by the tabloid Ilta Sanomat showed that MEP Anneli Jäätteenmäki was the most popular among Centre Party members.
Vanhanen said during a monthly radio interview programme on YLE’s Radio Suomi network that he expects more candidates to emerge before the June party congress.
When asked if he was concerned that there was not more interest in the leadership race, Vanhanen said that the candidates will be people who have something to offer to the party. He also said that he was slightly surprised that nobody from the younger end of the party has entered the race.
He also said that he expects the race to be decided on the basis of the candidates’ personal characteristics, rather than any political differences.
Vanhanen also said that the starting point should be that the new party leader would also become the new Prime Minister. “However, the decision needs to go through the parliamentary system. The matter will be decided in June one way or another”, Vanhanen said.
