Presidential inauguration

President of the Republic of Finland Tarja Halonen began her second term on Wednesday, 1 March 2006. The President made the solemn affirmation prescribed in section 56 of the Constitution before Parliament. The Speaker responded and then the President addressed Parliament.

The President of the Republic waved to citizens from the balcony.

”Apart from democracy, social fairness and shared responsibility are also values that are important to us. We have defended and built our country together through our joint efforts. As a result, our homeland is wealthier today than ever before, and our competitiveness is of the highest rank”, President Halonen said in her inauguration speech.

The President spoke about welfare society and its challenges. “Although the welfare society is a generally accepted objective, it is an objective that is not attained in the lives of most people. We have regional and social inequality”, President Halonen said, but she stated that “the welfare of citizens and the international competitiveness of our country are not mutually exclusive; they are mutually complementary and mutually supportive”.

The Speaker of the Parliament responded after the President had made the solemn affirmation.

President Halonen spoke also about the importance of international activities. “By participating actively in the work of the United Nations and of other international organizations, Finland is working with other countries towards the achievement of stable development in the world. A more just world is a safer world, and also a better place for us to live in”, President Halonen said.

On leaving the President inspected the honour guard in front of Parliament.

The President then returned to the Presidential Palace, where she waved to citizens from the balcony. Members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of the Government and high-level officials presented their congratulations and best wishes at the Presidential Palace.

Inauguration speech by President of the Republic of Finland Tarja Halonen, 1 march 2006

Speech by President of the Republic Tarja Halonen to the Diplomatic Corps, 1 March 2006

Response by President of the Republic to the Prime Minister and greetings, 1 March 200

More photos of the inauguration in the picture gallery