Pre-election BOOST for Finnish eurosceptic party as it OVERTAKES PM in latest poll

The news comes just two weeks before Finland’s next general election, scheduled for Sunday April 14. The Finns Party have risen to 15.1 percent, up from 13.3 percent in February, according to the poll published by public broadcaster Yle on Friday. The nationalist party has made rapid gains in recent months, thanks in part to rising anti-immigration sentiment following a number of cases of sexual abuse of minors by foreign men.

Prime Minister Juha Sipila’s Centre Party has slipped behind the Finns to an uncertain position, as the governing coalition, comprised of Mr Sipila’s party and the National Coalition, both received a 14.4 percent share and fell within the poll’s margin of error at +/- 2.3 percent.

Leftist Social Democrats remain in the lead at 20.1 percent.

Earlier this month Finland’s governing coalition, led by Mr Sipila, resigned due to its failure to push through a healthcare reform considered crucial to public finances.

The Prime Minister, who came to power in May 2015, is currently serving in a care-taking role until next month’s elections.

Finland’s last parliamentary elections were held in April 2015, where the Finns Party took 17.7 percent of the vote.

It subsequently split in two in 2017 when hardliner Jussi Halla-aho took the party’s reigns.

Mr Sipila says he foresaw difficulties in forming the new government.

Speaking to Finnish TV channel MTV’s morning show today, he said: “The upcoming negotiations to form a government certainly won’t be easy.

“I refer to Sweden, for instance. If the election result is not very clear, it may take a lot of time to find grounds for a government coalition.”

Neighbouring Sweden saw a political deadlock lasting four months following an inconclusive election result in September of last year.

The Swedish parliament eventually struck a deal in January, to end months without a government, choosing to give Social Democrat leader Stefan Lofven a second term in office.

Leaders of the largest Finnish parties have ruled out working with the Finns Party in a coalition after the upcoming elections.

source: express.co.uk