Prime Minister Antti Rinne resigns

Prime Minister Antti Rinne on Tuesday resigned as one of the coalition partners on Monday decided not to back him.

The Prime Minister, also the Chairman of the Suomen sosialidemokraattinen puolue (Social Democratic Party of Finland-SDP) submitted the resignation to the President to avoid a no confidence motion scheduled to be brought in the parliament.

The Suomen Keskusta (Centre Party of Finland) withdrew its backing for Rinne following the recent massive postal strike across the country.

Prime Minister Antti Rinne has submitted the resignation of the Government to President Sauli Niinistö in Mäntyniemi and the President has accepted the government’s resignation, said a press release issued by the President office on Tuesday.

The President asked the government to continue on a caretaker basis until a new government has been appointed.

The five-party alliance government faced a pre-scheduled vote of confidence in Parliament on Wednesday.

If it fails that vote, Finland could face new elections. Otherwise the current centre-left coalition might carry on after a cabinet reshuffle, reported National broadcaster Yle.

The political upheaval comes as Finland wraps up its six-month presidency of the European Council. A two-day EU summit begins in Brussels on Thursday next week, the Yle report added.