Finnish Christian Democrats optimistic in 'difficult' government negotiations

12-06-2023

Northern Europe

The Finnish government negotiations enter a seventh and possibly last week. The Christian Democrats are still in the talks, which are getting more difficult.

Finland's government negotiations are becoming increasingly complicated, argues Sari Essayah, chairman of the Christian Democrats. There are fewer and fewer issues to discuss, but "the difficulty factor is rising. That is very challenging."

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Negotiations for a new government entered their seventh week on Monday. At the table are the nationalistic Finns Party, the liberal-conservative National Coalition Party, the liberal Swedish People's Party (RKP) and the Christian Democrats. These four parties occupy 109 seats in the 200-seat parliament, thus forming a majority.

During the negotiations, the parties discussed ethical issues in health care, Essayah confirmed. These issues included participation in abortions.

An issue that remains open for discussion is, among other things, development cooperation. While some parties agree to cut its budget, the RKP does not want that. "It is not easy", Anna-Maja Henriksson, chairwoman of the RKP, stated.

Finland's National Coalition party chairman Petteri Orpo (2nd L) gives a press conference at the Parliament House in Helsinki. In the background can be seen Finns Party chair Riikka Purra (L to R), Swedish Peoples Party chair Anna-Maja Henriksson and Christian Democrats chair Sari Essayah. Photo AFP, Heikki Saukkomaa

Last month, the four parties overcame a major hurdle by patching up a row over immigration policy.

National Coalition leader Petteri Orpo, who is expected to become prime minister of the new government stated on Monday, aims for a new government at the end of this week. "If it doesn't lead to a love marriage, at least a marriage of common sense, which can be used to take care of the affairs of the motherland."