A BETTER EUROPE IS BORN
FROM ACTIONS ALONE. N OT BBYY WCOMPLAINING HINING
EUROPE IS DEFINED BY ITS ACHIEVERS.
WHAT IF WE CHOOSE TO BELIEVE IN THE FUTURE AND A BETTER EUROPE? Europe is not yet ready. Only by acting on its behalf can it be made to truly work. Finland has its place and its future in Europe – but what we should really be discussing is Europe’s place in the world. Is the sun setting on Europe, or is it a continent that draws on its traditions and strengths, boldly renewing itself and believing in its own shared future? How well Europe succeeds is directly linked to Finland’s success. Both Finland and Europe have unique strengths. We are educated and entrepreneurial people. We also have many of the world’s best companies and most valued brands. In Europe, even the weakest are cared for. Together, we can make a greater impact, but this requires action, as well as quitting the complaining. To create a better Europe we need people who know what they’re doing and are committed to promoting Finland’s interests. You’ll find them amongst the Kokoomus candidates.
A better Europe is born through
hard work. Europe’s wealth is built on work and effort, both now and in the future. Jobs and investments are born from renewal and seizing new opportunities – not through clinging on to past successes. Europe’s internal market offers consumers wider selections and better prices. With its population of 500 million Europeans, it is also a large market for Finnish business owners. The functionality of the internal market should be further improved. The biggest opportunities rest in the digital internal market. When freeing up the mobility of people, goods, services and capital in Europe, we must take care of things like environmental and consumer protection. In the legal jungle that these and many other issues create, one good European directive is frequently better than 28 individual national laws or standards. Excessive legislation must not stall the economy by making things hard for business owners. The legislation should be rationalised and simplified. Existent legislation must also be thoroughly reviewed. New legislation should enable economic growth and more jobs. European business owners should not be buried by an avalanche of directives. They must be given free hands to do business, to grow and to employ others. European industry fights climate change. Greenhouse gas emissions will grow immensely if jobs as a whole and production are transferred outside Europe. Finland and Europe have a lot to offer in the cleantech market – but this requires that we eliminate barriers to entry and a functioning internal market.
A better Europe is born
from freedom.
Renewal requires societies that have trust and confidence, as well as competitive national economies. What is most important, however, is people’s freedom to do things and to do business. Democracy and an open society are the supporting pillars of Europe. Decision-making and the preparation of EU legislation should be transparent. Security creates trust. We need tighter cooperation to fight international crime and to control Europe’s external borders. We have to respond rapidly and effectively to crises outside Europe – before we face their consequences in our own everyday lives.
A better Europe is born
WITH THE BEST ACHIEVERS. E TO SEE OURIDATES. G A P E H T N R TU ECTION CAND E U R O PE A N E L
THAI QUACH
Young Entrepreneur A BETTER EUROPE IS BORN
by crushing 222 prejudices.
ANTTI HÄKKÄNEN
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister, Lawyer
213
A BETTER EUROPE IS BORN
from lightertouch legislation. JARI ANDERSSON
HENNA VIRKKUNEN
Principal
Minister of Transport and Local Government
A BETTER EUROPE IS BORN
A BETTER EUROPE IS BORN
through bold renewal.
KAI PÖNTINEN Entrepreneur, City Board Chairman
A BETTER EUROPE IS BORN
with Finnish courage.
221
E I J A - R I I T TA KO R H O L A
Member of the European Parliament A BETTER EUROPE IS BORN
through protecting jobs and the environment.
PETRI S A R VA M A A
Entrepreneur
A BETTER EUROPE IS BORN
A BETTER EUROPE IS BORN
by invigorating the economy.
with creativity, Finnish perseverance and cooperation. 2
227
MARI KAUNISTOLA
CAROLINA NYSTÉN Student of Theology
Chief Constable
A BETTER EUROPE IS BORN
from everyday security.
216
LISA SOUNIO-AHTISAARI
Member of the European Parliament
225
through persistence.
212
230
A BETTER EUROPE IS BORN
215
218
by respecting human rights.
AURA SALLA
ARTO OJALA
Communications Consultant, specialised in EU communications
City Board Chairman A BETTER EUROPE IS BORN
219
A BETTER EUROPE IS BORN
by looking northwards.
through a more integrated Union.
224
S I R PA PIETIKÄINEN
M A R J AT TA R A S I
A BETTER EUROPE IS BORN
A BETTER EUROPE IS BORN
Member of the European Parliament
Long-term foreign policy specialist
from humane, ecological growth.
by putting EU to work for us.
220
PIA KAUMA
MARI-LEENA TA LV I T I E
Member of Parliament A BETTER EUROPE IS BORN
City Council Manager A BETTER EUROPE IS BORN
229
with rational environmental economics.
with economic growth and jobs.
Member of Parliament A BETTER EUROPE IS BORN
Member of Parliament
by strengthening European values.
A BETTER EUROPE IS BORN
217
214
ANNE-MARI VIROLAINEN
TA PA N I MÄKINEN
by removing obstacles for entrepreneurship.
223
231
JUKKA S AV O L A I N E N Entrepreneur
ALEXANDER STUBB
A BETTER EUROPE IS BORN
Minister for European Affairs and Foreign Trade A BETTER EUROPE IS BORN
228
with intelligent passion.
226
with common sense and entrepreneurship.
A better Europe is born
by keeping promises.
The European Union can only govern matters that have been mutually agreed in its treaties. Europe’s purpose is not to share responsibility for tax, debt or budgets. Europe is only as strong as its weakest link. Each member state has to keep its own house in order. No member state can be more equal than another. Agreed rules must be followed. Kokoomus wants Europe to be strong wherever we can achieve more together than on our own. In addition to the internal market, this encompasses the safety and security of all Europeans, as well as environmentally smart energy and climate policies. In the 21st century world, even the largest European countries are small. We have to stick together to efficiently promote our values and interests in free trade and foreign policy. An integrated Europe offers the best security for Finland.
A better Europe is born
by solving problems.
Europe’s purpose is to resolve problems, to search for solutions and to create jobs and wealth for all Europeans. This is where it can truly show its strength. Our voices are heard when we present our opinions in a constructive and convincing way. Authority is won through work and persistence – not through bickering and undermining others. We are committed to finding solutions that benefit both Finland and Europe as a whole. In a world without borders, isolation is not a solution – and not even a possibility.
United in diversity – the EU motto.
A better Europe is born
through a love of peace. Historically, the unification of Europe has been guided by the question of how to deal with war and peace. Europe still shares the responsibility for promoting peace and stability. The European Union is not a military alliance – and nor should it be made into one. The EU is a security community with shared values, creating stability within its community and promoting the safety and security of its member states. For economic reasons, we need to extend our cooperation in acquiring defence materiel. The EU should also act in a more integrated and efficient manner in its immediate vicinity. Two decades ago, many Finns were influenced by security policies when opting for EU membership. Security still remains an important factor. By working together with other EU member states, Finland can make a stronger impact.
What is your opinion?
A BETTER EUROPE IS BORN:
WIN A TRIP ELS SS U R B TO WO! T R O F
In your view, how would a better Europe be born? Write your suggestion here, post a picture of this page on Instagram and tag it with #parempieurooppa. You can also participate in the competition at eurovaalit. kokoomus.fi/kilpailu, where you will also find the competition rules. The best suggestion wins a trip for two persons to Brussels.
H U M A N . C H O O S E Y O U R A C H I E V E R : E U R O VA A L I T. KO KO O M U S . F I FACEBOOK.COM/KOKOOMUS • TWIT TER.COM/KOKOOMUS #KOKOOMUS #PAREMPIEUROOPPA