Editing Paavo Lipponen

{{Short description|Prime minister of Finland from 1995 to 2003}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox officeholder 
|name          = Paavo Lipponen
|image         = Presidentti Mauno Koiviston muistomerkin paljastustilaisuus 25.11.2023 (53354395787) (cropped).jpg
|caption       = Lipponen in 2023
|office        = 38th [[Prime Minister of Finland]]
|president     = [[Martti Ahtisaari]]<br />[[Tarja Halonen]]
|deputy        = [[Sauli Niinistö]]<br />[[Ville Itälä]]
|term_start    = 13 April 1995
|term_end      = 17 April 2003
|predecessor   = [[Esko Aho]]
|successor     = [[Anneli Jäätteenmäki]]
|office1       = [[Speaker of the Parliament of Finland|Speaker of the Finnish Parliament]]
|term_start1   = 22 April 2003
|term_end1     = 20 March 2007
|predecessor1  = [[Liisa Jaakonsaari]] {{Small|(Acting)}}
|successor1    = [[Timo Kalli]]
|term_start2   = 28 March 1995 
|term_end2     = 19 April 1995
|predecessor2  = [[Riitta Uosukainen]]
|successor2    = Riitta Uosukainen
|birth_name    = Paavo Tapio Lipponen
|birth_date    = {{birth date and age|1941|04|23|df=y}}
|birth_place   = [[Pello|Turtola]], Finland
|death_date    = 
|death_place   = 
|party         = [[Social Democratic Party of Finland|Social Democratic]]
|spouse        = Päivi Lipponen {{Small|(née Hiltunen)}}
|children      = 3
|alma_mater    = [[Dartmouth College]]<br />[[University of Helsinki]]
| allegiance   = {{flag|Finland}}
| branch       = [[File:Suomen Maavoimien tunnus.svg|20px]] [[Finnish Army]]
|rank          = [[Vääpeli|Staff sergeant]]
}}
'''Paavo Tapio Lipponen''' ({{IPA|fi|ˈpɑːʋo ˈlipːonen|pron|Fi-Paavo_Lipponen.ogg}}; born 23 April 1941) is a [[Finns|Finnish]] politician and former reporter.<ref>{{BLF|8170|Paavo Lipponen}}</ref> He was [[prime minister of Finland]] from 1995 to 2003,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ministerikortisto |url=http://www.valtioneuvosto.fi/hakemisto/ministerikortisto/ministeritiedot.asp?nro=500 |publisher=Valtioneuvosto}}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> and chairman of the [[Social Democratic Party of Finland]] from 1993 to 2005. He also served as [[speakers of the Parliament of Finland|speaker]] of the [[Parliament of Finland]] from 2003 to 2007<ref>{{Cite web |title=Edustajamatrikkeli |url=http://www.eduskunta.fi/triphome/bin/hx5000.sh?{hnro}=353&{kieli}=su&{haku}=kaikki |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514232358/http://www.eduskunta.fi/triphome/bin/hx5000.sh?%7Bhnro%7D=353&%7Bkieli%7D=su&%7Bhaku%7D=kaikki |archive-date=2011-05-14 |publisher=Eduskunta}}</ref> and was his party's nominee in the [[2012 Finnish presidential election]] but received only 6.7% of the votes,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Koko maa |url=http://192.49.229.35/TP2012K1/s/tulos/tulos_kokomaa.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125042726/http://192.49.229.35/TP2012K1/s/tulos/tulos_kokomaa.html |archive-date=2012-01-25 |access-date=2012-02-07 |website=VAALIT |language=fi }}</ref> making it the biggest defeat the [[Social Democratic Party of Finland|Social Democratic Party]] had ever received in Finnish presidential elections at the time.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Finland |url=http://www.nsd.uib.no/european_election_database/country/finland/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120415040530/http://www.nsd.uib.no/european_election_database/country/finland/ |archive-date=2012-04-15 |access-date=2012-03-28 |website=European Election Database}}</ref> Lipponen is currently the oldest living former prime minister of Finland.

==Career==
[[File:Vladimir Putin 28 February 2002-6.jpg|thumb|left|Lipponen with [[Vladimir Putin]] in 2002]]
Lipponen was born in [[Turtola]] (subsequently renamed [[Pello]]), the son of Orvo Lipponen and his wife Hilkka Iisalo. Paavo's maternal grandparents were Jaakko Antero Ingman/Iisalo (a distant relative of [[Adolf Fredrik Munck]] and [[Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim]]) and his wife Siiri Törnroos.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ancestry of Adolf Fredrik greve Munck |url=http://www.wargs.com/royal/munck.html}}</ref> Paavo Lipponen spent his childhood and youth in [[Kuopio]].

Receiving his [[Gymnasium (school)|gymnasium]] diploma from the [[Kuopion Lyseon lukio|Lyceum of Kuopio]] in 1959, he then studied philosophy and literature at [[Dartmouth College]] for one year on a [[Fulbright]] scholarship.

Soon after returning to Finland, he moved to [[Helsinki]] where he eventually attained a master's degree in [[international relations]] from the [[University of Helsinki]] in 1971. He was the editor of the student newspaper {{lang|fi|[[Ylioppilaslehti]]}} 1963–1965 and a freelance reporter for the Finnish Broadcasting Company ([[YLE]]) 1965–1967.

Lipponen made various controversial statements that angered groups such as Estonian refugees.<ref>Katja Boxberg: Paavo Lipponen. Nemo 2004."</ref>

According to [[Alpo Rusi]]'s book ''Vasemmalta ohi'', Lipponen began cooperation with the East German secret police [[Stasi]] in 1969.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MTVuutiset.fi |url=http://www.mtv3.fi/uutiset/kotimaa.shtml/arkistot/kotimaa/2007/11/578400}}</ref> The book suggests that Lipponen is the code name Mungo XV/326/71 in the [[Rosenholz files]].<ref>Alpo Rusi: Vasemmalta Ohi {{ISBN|978-951-20-7484-6}}</ref> In a 2008 interview Lipponen said that he had been a "target of East German manipulation".<ref>[http://www.hs.fi/politiikka/artikkeli/Lipponen++Stasi+neuvoi++mielistelem%C3%A4%C3%A4n++Neuvostoliittoa/HS20080501SI1YO01jph Lipponen: Stasi neuvoi mielistelemään Neuvostoliittoa] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110522172250/http://www.hs.fi/politiikka/artikkeli/Lipponen++Stasi+neuvoi++mielistelem%C3%A4%C3%A4n++Neuvostoliittoa/HS20080501SI1YO01jph |date=2011-05-22 }} Helsingin Sanomat 1.5.2008</ref> It is rumored that Lipponen is on the so-called [[Tiitinen list]].<ref>Ilkka Kylävaara: Taistolaisuuden musta kirja</ref> Alpo Rusi has also suggested that Lipponen had an alias, code, and operation in the [[KGB]].<ref>[http://www.mtv3.fi/uutiset/kotimaa.shtml/arkistot/kotimaa/2007/11/578400 Rusi: Lipposella ja Sorsalla avatut operaatiot KGB:ssä ja Stasissa] MTV3 06.11.2007</ref>

He held various posts in the Social Democratic Party organisation from 1967 to 1979. Lipponen's opinions were changed. In a speech in 1978, Lipponen asserted that he had lost his belief in socialism.<ref>Katja Boxberg: Paavo Lipponen. Nemo 2004.</ref>

Lipponen first came into the political limelight when he was secretary to prime minister [[Mauno Koivisto]] from 1979 to 1982. Frequently having to substitute for the busy prime minister, Lipponen was soon dubbed ''vara-Manu'' ("deputy Manu" — ''Manu'' being short for Mauno).

Lipponen was a member of the [[Parliament of Finland]] from 1983 to 1987 and also from 1991 until he retired in 2007.

In 1993, SDP chairman [[Ulf Sundqvist]] was suspected and later convicted of a large financial fraud. Lipponen was elected the new chairman in 1993, and he led the party to victory in the [[elections in Finland|parliamentary election]] of 1995. Lipponen formed a cabinet of five parties, including both rightist and leftist parties. Lipponen's economic policies were, however, dominated by the right-wing. The main task of the cabinet was to decrease the number of unemployed people. Tight fiscal policies allowed the participation of Finland in the [[European Monetary Union]], which resulted in the introduction of the euro in 1999. Foreign trade increased above the European average 1995–1999. Laws for a new constitution were passed and it took effect on 1 March 2000.

Lipponen headed the SDP campaign in 1999, which resulted in losses, but the SDP remained the largest party in the parliament. The coalition formed in 1995 was renewed. During the second Lipponen cabinet, he headed Finland's six months in the EU presidency and pursued pro-integration and pro-expansion policies. Lipponen introduced the concept of a [[European constitution]] during a speech in [[Bruges]] in 2000.

He headed the SDP campaign of 2003, which led to victory for the SDP; however, the Center Party gained more seats, which marked the end for the succession of the cabinets of the SDP and the National Coalition Party. The chairman of the Center Party, [[Anneli Jäätteenmäki]], formed a new cabinet, and Lipponen took the position of speaker of Parliament. Lipponen retired from the party chairmanship in 2005 and was succeeded by [[Eero Heinäluoma]]. Lipponen left the parliament in 2007.

Anneli Jäätteenmäki of the Centre Party won the elections after she had accused Paavo Lipponen, who was prime minister at the time, of allying neutral Finland with the United States in the [[Iraq War|war in Iraq]] during a meeting with President [[George W. Bush]], and thus associated Finland with what many Finns considered an [[Crimes against peace|illegal]] [[war of aggression]]. Lipponen denied the claims and declared that "We support the UN and the UN Secretary-General." Jäätteenmäki resigned as prime minister after 63 days in office amid accusations that she had lied about the leak of the documents about the meeting between Bush and Lipponen. This series of events was considered scandalous and it is named [[Iraq leak]] or Iraq-gate.<ref>{{Cite news |date=20 March 2004 |title=Former Finnish premier is cleared over Iraq papers leak |work=The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/former-finnish-premier-is-cleared-over-iraq-papers-leak-566960.html}}</ref>

On 15 August 2008, during the [[2008 South Ossetia war]], [[Nord Stream 1]], a Russian gas project, announced that it had signed a consulting contract with Lipponen. According to Nord Stream, he advises on the environmental impact assessment (EIA) and permit applications in Finland. He provides independent consultations according to his expertise in Finnish administrative and decision-making procedures within the energy sector.<ref>Nord Stream announcement at http://www.nord-stream.com/en/news-list/news/news-detail/article/paavo-lipponen-to-advise-nord-stream.html{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

As a result of the scandal that followed, Lipponen relinquished his office in the parliament building and resigned from all of his duties in Finland except veteran activities.<ref>[http://www.hameensanomat.fi/?article=79728 Lipponen jättää kotimaiset luottamustehtävät] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080827192152/http://www.hameensanomat.fi/?article=79728 |date=27-08-2008 }} Hämeen sanomat 23. elokuuta 2008</ref>

In an article published in October 2008, Lipponen discussed the Russian response in Georgia and warned Europe of its dependence on Russian gas. Lipponen criticised the way many Finnish and German politicians were opposed to nuclear power and stated that their fundamentalism destroys both energy security and climate policy.<ref>[http://www.tekniikkatalous.fi/energia/article149446.ece?s=r&wtm=-23102008 Lipponen: EU kohtasi Georgian kriisin housut kintuissa] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081024044653/http://www.tekniikkatalous.fi/energia/article149446.ece?s=r&wtm=-23102008 |date=2008-10-24 }} Tekniikka&Talous 22.10.2008</ref>

Poland reportedly blocked Lipponen's candidacy as EU foreign policy chief because of Lipponen's ties to Nord Stream.<ref>[http://www.euractiv.com/fr/avenir-europe/poland-blocks-finnish-politician-from-top-job/article-185251 Poland blocks Finnish politician from EU top job] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090912121225/http://www.euractiv.com/fr/avenir-europe/poland-blocks-finnish-politician-from-top-job/article-185251 |date=2009-09-12 }} 9 September 2009</ref>

[[File:Kitack Lim and Paavo Lipponen in February 2016.jpg|thumb|Paavo Lipponen, meets IMO Secretary-General [[Kitack Lim]] at IMO HQ (24 February 2016).]]
Lipponen was his party's nominee in the [[2012 Finnish presidential election]]. He was knocked out in the first round, receiving 6.7% of the vote.

Lipponen has declined the honour of being named a ''[[Counselor of State (Finland)|counselor of state]]'', the highest honour in Finland, saying that no-one outside of Finland knows what a ''valtioneuvos'' is and that he is satisfied with being "former prime minister".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2007-12-05 |title=Lipponen kieltäytyi arvonimestä |url=http://www.iltalehti.fi/uutiset/200712056938856_uu.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130511224001/http://www.iltalehti.fi/uutiset/200712056938856_uu.shtml |archive-date=2013-05-11 |access-date=2012-03-26 |website=Iltalehti.fi |language=fi }}</ref>

==Personal life==
Lipponen played [[water polo]] at the highest national level in his youth.

He currently lives with his second wife, Päivi Lipponen (formerly Hertzberg, née Hiltunen), and has three children.

==Popular culture==
Lipponen appears as an animated character in the [[political satire]] TV series ''[[The Autocrats]]''.<ref>[https://yle.fi/aihe/artikkeli/2021/02/01/itse-valtiaat-nauroi-2000-luvun-poliitikoille-nama-hahmot-olivat-suomen YLE: Itse valtiaat nauroi 2000-luvun poliitikoille – nämä hahmot olivat Suomen huipputehtävissä 20 vuotta sitten] (in Finnish)</ref>

==Cabinets==
* [[Lipponen I Cabinet]] (1995–1999)
* [[Lipponen II Cabinet]] (1999–2003)

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== Further reading ==

* {{Forummag|title=Månadens person Paavo Lipponen|author=Janne Salonen|url=https://forum-mag.fi/manadens-person-paavo-lipponen/|access-date=|date=1996-02-22|issue=1996-02|page=30-33|year=1996|language=sv-SE}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-off}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Riitta Uosukainen]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Speaker of the Parliament of Finland|Speaker of Parliament]]|years=1995}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Riitta Uosukainen]]}}
|-
{{s-bef||before=[[Esko Aho]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Prime Minister of Finland]]|years=1995–2003}}
{{s-aft|after={{nowrap|[[Anneli Jäätteenmäki]]}}}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Liisa Jaakonsaari]]<br /><small>Acting</small>}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Speaker of the Parliament of Finland|Speaker of Parliament]]|years=2003–2007}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Timo Kalli]]}}
{{s-dip}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Gerhard Schröder]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[President of the European Council]]|years=1999}}
{{s-aft|after=[[António Guterres]]}}
{{s-end}}

{{FinnishPrimeMinisters}}
{{Presidents of the European Council}}
{{Swedish Academy Finland Prize winners}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lipponen, Paavo}}
[[Category:1941 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Pello]]
[[Category:Leaders of the Social Democratic Party of Finland]]
[[Category:Prime ministers of Finland]]
[[Category:Speakers of the Parliament of Finland]]
[[Category:Members of the Parliament of Finland (1983–1987)]]
[[Category:Members of the Parliament of Finland (1991–1995)]]
[[Category:Members of the Parliament of Finland (1995–1999)]]
[[Category:Members of the Parliament of Finland (1999–2003)]]
[[Category:Members of the Parliament of Finland (2003–2007)]]
[[Category:Dartmouth College alumni]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Legion of Honour]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana, 1st Class]]
[[Category:Candidates for President of Finland]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Order of the White Star, 1st Class]]
[[Category:Social Democratic Party of Finland politicians]]
[[Category:Presidents of the European Council]]
[[Category:Finnish writers]]
[[Category:Finnish male water polo players]]
[[Category:20th-century Finnish sportsmen]]