Next year, in April, 200 new MPs are elected to our parliament. The search for candidates is being started. A general rule is, that a representative must be honest and have a clean criminal record. Parties nominate candidates based on different ideological bases. The Christian Democrats will nominate more than 200 candidates for the election 2011.
What other expectations, than the previously mentioned universal criteria, are waiting the candidates?
I think the candidates’ ideological base will play a decisive role in selecting candidates. The Christian Democrats will not look for the perfect, faultless people. Because those can not be found . But, it is important that candidates commit themselves to the goals and values that form the basis of the Christian Democratic ideology.
Candidates who want to ensure that our democratic society is built on Christian values. The universal and lasting values which arise from the Bible and the Christian heritage, and form the basis of a good, functioning community. The value base which intends emphasises respect of human dignity, the importance of family and close communities, defending the weak, encouraging resourcefulness and individual and collective responsibility, not just for themselves but also for their neighbours and the rest of creation. Membership of Finland’s Christian Democrats is open to every candidate who agrees with these values and aims.