Olli Rehn Interview: Conversations with History; Institute of International Studies, UC Berkeley
Page 2 of 7
What led you into politics and when did you enter politics?
I had a simple motive of wanting to make the world a better place, both for the Finns and more globally. One of the first activities I participated in, some twenty years ago, was a solidarity campaign for the African National Congress. I think one of the greatest moments in my historical memory has been the release of Nelson Mandela from prison in South Africa. I can't claim credit for that, of course, but nonetheless, it was a very memorable moment.
What was your first elected office?
My first elected office was, I presume, the Chairman of the Finnish Youth Council.
While you were still in college?
I was still at the University, yes. Yes. And then I got elected to the Helsinki City Council and later on to the Finnish Parliament.
What would you say is the prerequisite for doing politics? What are the skills required in a democracy like Finland?
First of all, they have changed to some extent. One hundred years ago, the leading politicians certainly were university professors. It doesn't, unfortunately, work that way any more.
In your country.
In my country, at least. I think the essence of that is that you have core principles for which you are willing to stand. Then, of course, in addition to that you have to have a quest for knowledge and understanding of the society so that you know how to influence matters. And then in the media, you should be telegenic and be able to communicate in the media as well.
I assume you must also have to listen a lot to find out what's on people's minds, so that you can relate the direction you think society should go with what they're feeling and thinking.
That's right. Listening to the people is, indeed, essential, I think it was Tip O'Neill who once said, during a foreign policy debate, that "all politics is local," meaning that we who tend to pay a lot of attention to global issues and European issues should also remember to keep in close contact with the everyday lives of our citizens. That's what some politicians tend to forget, although I would say that the balance today is reversed: politics in the Western countries tend to be too populistic, rather than principled.
Next page: Finland and the European Union
© Copyright 2003, Regents of the University of California