Parties underline limited powers of caretaker cabinet

Representatives of Finnish parliamentary parties on Tuesday accepted the continuation of Prime Minister Juha Sipilä's cabinet in a caretaker role.

The government resigned last Friday. The constitution requires that parliamentary parties must be consulted when a political government continues in a care-taker role.

The opposition Perussuomalaiset (Finns Party) suggested that an all-party cabinet based on parliamentary strengths be formed, but the rest concluded there is no time for such a solution. The upcoming general election will be on April 14.

Antti Lindtman, the chairman of the Suomen Sosialidemokraattinen Puolue (Social Democratic Party of Finland-SDP), underlined to local media that the cabinet cannot do top civil service appointments or take other political decisions, except if a wide parliamentary backing exists.

The Chancellor of Justice has concluded that the choice of the new Commander of Defence Forces is not such a routine duty that a care-taker cabinet could process, national broadcaster Yle reported.

The current commander is retiring in the summer. The selection process of choosing a successor will now be delayed. The position is a presidential appointment, but requires cabinet preparation.

However, the government will be able to fill the new position of the intelligence ombudsman as all parties have okayed it. The vacancy was created as part of the new intelligence legislation package this week. The intelligence ombudsman will guard civic interest in the intelligence field.