No wrong doing with formation of new govt

The Chancellor of Justice Risto Hiekkataipale on Friday issued a ruling saying that there was no wrong doing in formation of the new government with the Suomen Keskusta (Centre Party), Kansallinen Kokoomus (National Coalition Party-NCP) and Sininen tulevaisuus (Blue Reform), the new party formed by the dissident lawmakers of Perussuomalaiset (Finns Party).

The Chancellor of Justice issued the ruling following a number of complaints filled with his office against the reconstitution of the government excluding the Perussuomalaiset led by its newly elected leader Jussi Halla-aho, who is well-known for his anti-immigration role and the inclusion of 22 dissident MPs from the Perussuomalaiset party.

The ruling said that there was no wrongdoing in exclusion of one party and inclusion of the faction lamakers in the government, said a press release.

Hiekkataipale pointed out that the government acted correctly in this regard and did not see any reason to censure the administration.

The crisis began on June 12 as Sipilä met with Jussi Halla-aho, the newly elected hardliner leader of the Perussuomalaiset and the Kansallinen Kokoomus (National Coalition Party) leader, Finance Minister Petteri Orpo.

The Prime Minister on the same day decided to form a new government after the allies of the government failed to find a common ground with Jussi Halla-aho.

On June 13, Sipilä was on his way to submit a formal resignation to the President, Sauli Niinistö when he heard of the secession and made the new decision.

Sipilä told media near the Presidential Summer Palace in southwestern Finland, that he had consulted legal authorities. He said it was not necessary to dissolve the government and reappoint the ministers.

By the night of June 13, a total of 22 members of the originally 37 Finns Party parliamentary caucus were reported to leave, including the Parliament Speaker Maria Lohela.

With the support from the defected group, the cabinet got the backing of at least 106 MPs out of the 200-member parliament.

The new government survived its first confidence motion in parliament on June 20.

A total of 104 lawmakers out of the total 200-seat parliament cast votes in favour of the government while 85 cast vote against the government.