Finland's Interior Minister slams PM's 'pigheaded' secret probe into security agency

A decision to investigate the oversight of Finland's Security Intelligence Service (Supo) was made in June by the Prime Minister's Office, bypassing the Interior Ministry, according to reports. Prime Minister Petteri Orpo's office initiated the study into Supo's guidance and resources, with the investigation period commencing in early August and concluding in March. This timeline suggests its findings could influence future government negotiations.

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I must say that this is completely unusual, that first an investigation is started without discussion.

Interior Minister Mari Rantanen stated she was unaware of the investigation until recently, expressing strong disapproval. "I must say that this is completely unusual, that first an investigation is started without discussion," Rantanen told HS. She characterized the move as "outright pigheadedness," noting that such matters are typically discussed during government program negotiations or broader coalition talks.

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I consider this a very special action and outright pigheadedness.

The debate surrounding Supo's placement intensified when the outgoing state secretary of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs proposed placing Supo under the Foreign Ministry instead of the Interior Ministry. Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen supported this idea, citing potential overlaps in work between the ministries. Prime Minister Orpo had previously suggested moving Supo under the Prime Minister's Office, a proposal Rantanen had opposed.

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I don't know who this was discussed with, as the political leadership and the highest official leadership did not know about the matter.

Rantanen also questioned the involvement of officials from her own ministry in an investigation concerning Supo's future, conducted behind her back. She believes the outcome of the investigation, initiated at Orpo's request, is predetermined to favor moving Supo to the Prime Minister's Office. Rantanen called for a discussion on the rules of engagement, suggesting it's time to scrutinize the Prime Minister's actions, especially when the public often demands adherence to rules from her own party.

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What else can one comment on this other than that it is a very peculiar setup overall.