Prime Minister-designate Petteri Orpo, leader of the Finnish Conservative Party, announced on Thursday (June 15) that he had reached a government coalition agreement with three other organizations, including the far-right, after April’s legislative elections. “I am proud of the good plan and the outcome of the negotiations. All Questions Answered »He told reporters in Helsinki, in front of the heads of three other organizations.
Petteri Orbo, led by the National Alliance (centre-right), has formed a government coalition with the far-right Finns Party, which came second in the legislative elections, and two other smaller right-wing parties. Four parties have won 108 of the 200 seats in Parliament. Mr. Orbo said he would unveil his plan on Friday.
Coalition talks, which usually last an average of a month, have dragged on for longer, particularly over differences over climate policy and immigration. “We had our differences on some things, and I’m sure we still have some, but the desire to put Finland in order unites us”He underlined that he was appointed as Prime Minister.
The right-wing had already governed with the Finns Party (formerly True Finns) between 2015 and 2017, the date of a split within the Eurosceptic establishment that resulted in a hard line. The party achieved a record 20.1% vote share in the Legislative Assembly elections held on 2 April.
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