Supporters of long-time politician and candidate for the party leadership Paavo Väyrynen want the chair to be elected via referendum voting, while backers of incumbent chair Mari Kiviniemi appear to be opposing the proposal. The other option is election via a party convention.
Kiviniemi herself has refuted newspaper allegations that she opposes a broad membership poll, noting that she supported the approach for electing the party’s presidential candidate last year. However, the vote was not necessary as Paavo Väyrynen emerged as the only Centre Party candidate for the presidency.
Two years ago, a Centre Party caucus decided to modify the party rules to allow for consultative referendum voting in the election of a party chair.
Väyrynen has already won the support of regional party groups, as well as the party’s Swedish-speaking members.
The party leadership will decide on whether or not the new chair will be elected via the referendum vote at a meeting in Tampere next Friday.
Polls by the dailies Turun Sanomat, Kaleva and Väli-Suomen Sanomat all indicate that the membership is split down the middle on the issue, with Väyrynen supporters pushing for adoption of the consultative vote, while Kiviniemi backers oppose the measure.
Meanwhile soundings by YLE predict a close vote on the issue at the party leadership meeting in Tampere, with the possibility that the outcome could go either way.
Kiviniemi has recused herself from decision-making at the Tampere meeting, citing her candidacy for the chairmanship.