Prime Minister Sanna Marin and the Social Democratic Party have increased their vote share and their seats in parliament – European socialists and democrats congratulate Sanna Marin and the SDP on their strong result at the general election on Sunday.
The SDP – a full member party of the PES – secured 19.9% at the election, up 2.6% on the party’s result in 2019, gaining three mandates. The SDP has 43 seats in the new parliament.
PES President Stefan Löfven said:
“Sanna Marin and the Social Democrats can be very proud of the effective progressive campaign they fought, and the good result they achieved. As prime minister, Sanna Marin has guided Finland through some historic shifts. Thanks to her steady leadership, Finland has come through the pandemic in a strong position and its international security is strengthened.”
The SDP campaigned on a bold progressive programme focused on securing a better start for children and young people, fairer employment, stronger pensions, enhanced security, sound economic management, and protection for the environment.
Commenting on the performance of the far-right in the Finnish general election, Löfven added:
“Pro-European democrats should be highly concerned about the trend that is emerging. The negotiations for the next government in Finland will be an acid test: does the centre-right look to the extremes? Or to the centre?
“With the far-right taking ground electorally, signs of a drift on the pollical right are concerning. Far-right parties are making their way into government, united behind a common agenda with the centre-right. Citizens can count on progressives to fight against this far-right drift.”
Despite the strong SDP result, a tight election means the centre-right National Coalition Party – which narrowly finished in first place with 48 seats – will make the first attempt to form the next government, potentially relying on the nationalist populist Finns Party – which finished in second place with 46 seats – to secure power.
