PM terms attack on police unforgivable

Prime Minister Antti Rinne termed the violence against police officers in Porvoo as unforgivable.

In an interview with national broadcaster Yle during the Prime Minister Interview Hour, the premier made the remarks referring to the shooting of two police officers on duty on Sunday midnight.

On Saturday another incident of shooting took place in Jyväskylä when a police officer was shot by an air gun.

Rinne said that the government has recognised the need to increase the police workforce, which will increase for the first time in ten years.

"The bad has already happened, the police (officers) have already been seriously injured. Fortunately, they had adequate protective gear which saved them from injuries even maybe life-threatening," Rinne said.

The premier also commented on the burning of the Amazon rain forest in Brazil. Rinne said the country has during its presidency of the EU encouraged the Union to take joint actions in situations such as the current forest fire.

"The European Union must take the lead on climate issues, in economic and historical terms. We must lead in a way that causes governments to act across the globe to stop warming to one and a half degrees," Rinne said.

The Prime Minister also said that he was pleased that the government parties during negotiations. However, he said that the five parties’ different values and difference in opinions became clear at the House of Estate.

"It was seen during the negotiations that there are bigger issues which must be addressed during the government tenure. Forest policy is one (area) where there are different views and priorities," he said.

The interview was Rinne’s first Prime Minister Interview Hour and he is the 25th Prime Minister to take part in the Yle Radio programme which has been running for 57 years.