Two churches have announced that their representatives are not to attend the ordination of Irja Askola, Finland's first female bishop, as the bishop of Helsinki, Finnish Christian newspaper Kotimaa reported on Friday.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ingria in Russia have decided not to attend the ceremony.

The Latvian church has stopped ordaining new female priests, while women do not work as priest within the Church of Ingria.

Guntars Dimants, the bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia, denies that the church is boycotting the ordination due to the gender of the bishop in question. According to Dimants, the church's representatives simply do not have time to attend the event.

The Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ingria in Russia did not want to comment on the matter.

STT

Speaking at an event to commemorate the 110th birthday of Urho Kekkonen, Finland's president from 1956-1982, President Tarja Halonen emphasised the need for consistency in Finnish politics.

In her speech about the relationship between Finland and Russia, the President noted that relations continue to be good. However, her emphasis on consistency can be interpreted as a comment on the recent Russia debate.

Halonen also commented on the tightening of presidential powers, and bringing up what the public appears to want. She evaluated that Kekkonen continues to have an effect on Finland. These comments can be interpreted to suggest that the vast majority of the public would support keeping presidential powers rather than limiting them further. According to Halonen, only the "political elite" want to reduce the president's powers.

STT

Finnish police announced on Friday, that they suspect Ilkka Kanerva (cons), MP and former foreign minister, of accepting bribes.

According to the police, Kanerva is suspected of accepting bribes in connection with the funding of his 60th birthday party. The now solvent developer Nova Kiinetistökehitys, a subsidiary of the also now solvent Nova Group, provided funds of 17,000 euros for the event.

The police did not comment on who or how many people are suspected of offering bribes to the former foreign minister.

During the preliminary stages of the investigation, Kanerva has denied the charges. Police questioned the MP twice. Kanerva previously announced that he was not aware of the identity of the donor or the sum involved.

Jorma Kalse, Finland's deputy prosecutor-general, is to begin the consideration of charges for the case.

STT

The Finnish Market Court made a statement on Friday clearing the National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) of accusation in the pneumococcus vaccine case.

According to the court, the THL did not act incorrectly when choosing to purchase the vaccines from GlaxoSmithKline.

Pharmaceuticals giant Pfizer suspects THL of favouring its competitor and has demanded a new call for tenders.

The Finnish Broadcasting Company (YLE) is to stop hosting its traditional Election Nights festivities, Finnish weekly Suomen Kuvalehti reported on Friday.

The political parties have informed YLE that they do not intend to attend the Election Night for the upcoming general election in April.

Mikael Jungner, party secretary for the Social Democratic party, confirmed that the Election Night festivities are no longer to be held by YLE.

STT

The Finnish economy is to recover from the recession during this and the coming year, however the economic forecast is still uncertain, according to a stability assessment published by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Thursday.

According to the report, Finland's export driven economy experienced a big blow during the economic crisis of 2008.

Finland's gross domestic product (GDP) fell by eight per cent last year, which was the most dramatic drop within the eurozone.

Finnish Trade Union for Education (OAJ) told on Thursday that, a decreasing number of local councils attempt to save by laying off teachers. This year the layoffs will affect about 3000 teachers, which is 50 per cent fewer than last year.

OAJ suspects that the decreasing enthusiasm to lay off teachers indicates that the advantages gained through layoffs have often remained poor compared to the disadvantages.

STT