Popularity of anti-immigration populist party rises: poll

Backing for the anti-immigrant populist Perussuomalaiset (Finns Party) has increased in the wake of a terrorism-related incident, the result of a poll indicated on Thursday.

The support for the Perussuomalaiset surpassed the ten-percent level to 10.3 percent in a poll commissioned by national broadcaster Yle. The Sininen tulevaisuus (Blue Reform), the breakaway group of the party, only got 1.4 percent support.

The poll interviews were carried out after a recent stabbing attack in Turku where a Moroccan asylum seeker was held as a suspect. The police said the suspect carried out the attack with terrorist motives.

The Kansallinen Kokoomus (National Coalition Party-NCP) remained at 20.8 percent. The Suomen Keskusta (Centre Party) came down to 16.2 percent and the Suomen Sosialidemokraattinen Puolue (Social Democratic Party of Finland-SDP) lowered to 15.6 percent.

The Vihreä Liitö (Green League) slightly improved its number-two position and rose to 17.8 percent.

Commenting on the results, Jari Pajunen, director of the research institute Taloustutkimus, said the popularity of the Vihreä Liitö had reached its limit among young and educated voters in university towns. To grow further, they would have to reach new groups.

Pajunen noted the low support of Premier Juha Sipila´s Center Party had continued its recent declining trend. Support for the party is now at the level it was when Sipila became party leader in 2012.

"Perhaps their supporters think the conservatives have the upper hand in the coalition government, even though there is a centrist prime minister," Pajunen added.