Speaker of Parliament Jussi Halla-aho (Finns) has stated that he is considering a request from the opposition parties to suspend Parliament's summer recess.
"This consideration and its outcome will be influenced not only by the reasons given in the opposition groups' letter, but also by the discussions I will have with the parliamentary groups representing the majority and governing coalition in Parliament. In addition, I will consult the Secretary-General of Parliament and relevant historical precedents," Halla-aho told Yle.
The calls for a return to the chamber have been sparked by a controversy surrounding racist comments written on Halla-aho's Scripta blog by Finns Party leader Riikka Purra in 2008, which re-surfaced earlier this week, leading to outcries from the opposition parties.
Since Parliament is in summer recess, no vote of confidence can be arranged unless Halla-aho — as the Speaker of Parliament — decides to end the break.
Halla-aho noted that it is rare for the opposition to ask for a suspension of recess. Usually, he said, Parliament is convened during a recess to take a position on an urgent matter and at the request of the government.
"Of course, I do not want to set a practice or a precedent where a parliamentary minority can, at will, interrupt recesses and pressure Parliament to debate or vote on issues. That would be a quite exceptional measure," the Speaker said.
He added that a request to suspend the summer recess would be stronger if it included a group from the governing coalition. The SPP's parliamentary group will meet on Friday evening to discuss the controversy surrounding Purra's posts.
"If a parliamentary group of the governing party were to join the opposition groups' motion, then it would be backed by a majority in Parliament, and that would change the situation and influence my own deliberations," Halla-aho clarified.
Halla-aho has already held talks with the parliamentary groups of the governing parties, but would not comment further on the content of the discussions.
