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. 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. 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. Poland reportedly blocked Lipponen's candidacy as EU foreign policy chief because of Lipponen's ties to Nord Stream. 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, 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". Personal life Lipponen played water polo in his youth at the highest national level. He lives currently 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. Cabinets Lipponen I Cabinet (1995–1999) Lipponen II Cabinet (1999–2003) References External links |- |- 1941 births Living people People from Pello Leaders of the Social Democratic Party of Finland Prime Ministers of Finland Speakers of the Parliament of Finland Members of the Parliament of Finland (1983–87) Members of the Parliament of Finland (1991–95) Members of the Parliament of Finland (1995–99) Members of the Parliament of Finland (1999–2003) Members of the Parliament of Finland (2003–07) Dartmouth College alumni Recipients of the Legion of Honour Recipients of the Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana, 1st Class Candidates for President of Finland Recipients of the Order of the White Star, 1st Class Social Democratic Party of Finland politicians Presidents of the European Council Finnish writers Finnish male water polo players Fulbright alumni