Press releases
26.August 2003 - 00:00
Eija-Riitta Korhola not to stand as a candidate of the Christian Democrats in Euro election
After much deliberation I have decided not to stand again as a Christian Democrat candidate in the 2004 European elections. The decision has been difficult and hard, for I have worked enthusiastically and in a congenial atmosphere in the European Parliament.
My decision to step down from the Christian Democrats' activities matured after the last parliamentary election campaign, when I had to consider the reasons for our difficulties in the Helsinki constituency and the electoral result, and what part I played in it all. I participated in the campaign at the party's request and I really wanted to ensure that Helsinki had a variety of good candidates.
I feel that there have been tensions in the Christian Democrats between the so-called reformist line and the traditional supporters. As time goes on these growing tensions are proving harmful to the party and, on my part, I want to help undo them. It is also clear that I do not see myself as being able to succeed in the election or to have much influence in the party, if by my presence I create more polarisation and not strengthen the joint Party line. Such polarisation has not been my aim.
Having driven the party's reformist process purposefully and impatiently, no doubt I myself am to blame for the situation. Yet I cannot think differently about certain principles. The challenge for a political party that declares itself Christian is, in my opinion, to make it continuously clear that it doesn't try to take on the role of the churches, because it can never do justice to the fundamental message of the Christian faith. Therefore, for example, I have longed for clear election campaign rules so that our identity would not be dimmed. For example, I do not consider it good to appeal to religious themes in a forum where they cannot even be influenced.
In our party leadership, this line has been clear and impeccable. I respect the leadership's aims and see the Christian Democrats as a growing party that has enormous potential and much to give in the Finnish society. The vast majority of our party does not mix up the practice of religion and politics, but is able to hold a respectful distance between them. Personally, I still feel there's a lack of openness about the fact that we do not seem to have efficient ways of preventing departures from the agreed rules of the game: time and again, with its idiosyncratic campaigns, a small minority succeeds in taking the whole party hostage, as it were. From the point of view of the party's future, this is a clear challenge. I admit that, in these situations, participating in the elections is to me simply frightening and the risk of frustration is considerable.
I want to express my great regard for the party's leadership and for all its loveable people. I hope that the work will continue, for it is not unimportant on what view of humanity politics is done in our country and in Europe. I myself am very committed to act on the basis of those values.
Among the Christian Democrats I have been able to experience such love and warmth that I could not imagine existed in politics. Of course I have also received blows which have felt heavy, especially when they have been given in a higher name than that of mere human beings. One never gets used to those blows and I am not sure whether I should even try. It is difficult for me to bear the feeling that I will disappoint many of my supporters and those who have worked on my behalf and trusted me. Others will, I know, be relieved by my stepping aside.
I want to thank all my supporters for giving me the honour of representing Finland in Europe, and I want to continue to do this as well as I can till the end of my term.
After much deliberation I have decided not to stand again as a Christian Democrat candidate in the 2004 European elections. The decision has been difficult and hard, for I have worked enthusiastically and in a congenial atmosphere in the European Parliament.
My decision to step down from the Christian Democrats' activities matured after the last parliamentary election campaign, when I had to consider the reasons for our difficulties in the Helsinki constituency and the electoral result, and what part I played in it all. I participated in the campaign at the party's request and I really wanted to ensure that Helsinki had a variety of good candidates.
I feel that there have been tensions in the Christian Democrats between the so-called reformist line and the traditional supporters. As time goes on these growing tensions are proving harmful to the party and, on my part, I want to help undo them. It is also clear that I do not see myself as being able to succeed in the election or to have much influence in the party, if by my presence I create more polarisation and not strengthen the joint Party line. Such polarisation has not been my aim.
Having driven the party's reformist process purposefully and impatiently, no doubt I myself am to blame for the situation. Yet I cannot think differently about certain principles. The challenge for a political party that declares itself Christian is, in my opinion, to make it continuously clear that it doesn't try to take on the role of the churches, because it can never do justice to the fundamental message of the Christian faith. Therefore, for example, I have longed for clear election campaign rules so that our identity would not be dimmed. For example, I do not consider it good to appeal to religious themes in a forum where they cannot even be influenced.
In our party leadership, this line has been clear and impeccable. I respect the leadership's aims and see the Christian Democrats as a growing party that has enormous potential and much to give in the Finnish society. The vast majority of our party does not mix up the practice of religion and politics, but is able to hold a respectful distance between them. Personally, I still feel there's a lack of openness about the fact that we do not seem to have efficient ways of preventing departures from the agreed rules of the game: time and again, with its idiosyncratic campaigns, a small minority succeeds in taking the whole party hostage, as it were. From the point of view of the party's future, this is a clear challenge. I admit that, in these situations, participating in the elections is to me simply frightening and the risk of frustration is considerable.
I want to express my great regard for the party's leadership and for all its loveable people. I hope that the work will continue, for it is not unimportant on what view of humanity politics is done in our country and in Europe. I myself am very committed to act on the basis of those values.
Among the Christian Democrats I have been able to experience such love and warmth that I could not imagine existed in politics. Of course I have also received blows which have felt heavy, especially when they have been given in a higher name than that of mere human beings. One never gets used to those blows and I am not sure whether I should even try. It is difficult for me to bear the feeling that I will disappoint many of my supporters and those who have worked on my behalf and trusted me. Others will, I know, be relieved by my stepping aside.
I want to thank all my supporters for giving me the honour of representing Finland in Europe, and I want to continue to do this as well as I can till the end of my term.