May 4, 2011

Finland's general election changed the political environment radically

Finland had the General Election last Sunday. It changed the political environment radically to the worst. The nationalist-populist party True Finns were the major winners of the Election becoming the third biggest party in the Parliament. They increased their parliamentary seats from 5 to 39! For the first time ever the National Coalition (right wing) became the biggest party with 44 seats. The Social Democrats got 42 seats. The  Center Party and the Greens of Finland experienced the biggest loss – Greens getting 10 seats (previously 15) and Center Party 35 seats (previously 51). 49 of the MPs from the old Parliament were not re-elected and 87 of the ones elected are new. 43% of the MPs are women (86 from 200, which is 2 more than previously) and there are 9 under 30 year old MPs compared to two in the previous Parliament.

 The negotiations for the new Government will begin next week between the three biggest parties, National Coalition, Social Democrats and True Finns. They are expected to be difficult and it will probably take a while before the new Government is assembled.

 The True Finns have two issues that they are against of: EU and migration. Their opinion on development cooperation is that the development cooperation funding should be cut.

 We are more than a little confused and concerned. We will be wiser after we have the new Government.