Rinne seeks assurances for coalition goals

The government formation talks continued late on Monday as SosialidemokraattinenPuolue (Social Democratic Party of Finland-SDP) Chair Antti Rinne met with representatives of KansallinenKokoomus (National Coalition Party), reported the national broadcaster Yle.

Earlier in the day, the SDP chair met with representatives of Vihreäliitto (Green League), Vasemmistoliitto (Left Alliance) and Suomenruotsalainenkansanpuolue (Swedish People's Party of Finland-RKP)

Talks with Kokoomus will continue late in the evening, Rinne told a press conference held at the parliament. He said, “We have a lot of things to go through with Kokoomus, and I believe today we will continue with lengthy talks with Kokoomus in the evening.”

Originally, each political party was allocated an hour for the government formation talks with SDP.

According to Rinne, the time is taking longer because he wants assurances about the goals of the coalition. Rinne denied that, for instance, the political parties’ economic policy views would disrupt the talks. “You have to see if common views can be found so that you can start to build a common programme.”

Rinne has already met with all the political parties. On Sunday, he met with representatives of SuomenKristillisdemokraati (Christian Democrats), Perussuomalaiset (Finns Party) and SuomenKeskusta (Centre Party of Finland).

The SDP chair said there has been no need for further discussions with the parties he had already met.

He said, “I have to say that for certain parties it has been easier to see whether to continue or not."

Rinne has not ruled out any political party for coalition talks.