1st session of new parliament begins

The first plenary session of the electoral term of the new parliament is beginning on Wednesday, said the parliament in a press release on Tuesday.

The lawmakers will elect the speaker and two deputy speakers on the opening day.

The State Opening of Parliament will he held on Thursday through the address of the President and the President will declare the parliamentary session open.

After the State Opening of Parliament, the representative of the largest parliamentary group or the person designated by it will invite the representatives of the other parliamentary groups to a meeting to agree who will lead the preliminary discussions.

According to the established custom, the leader of the largest party starts the preliminary talks by sending a letter to all parliamentary groups and parties, asking them to reply to the questions he or she has raised.

Meanwhile, all parliamentary groups have chosen their presidiums for the parliamentary session starting.

The largest party in this parliament centre-right Kansallinen Kokoomus (National Coalition Party-NCP) elected Kai Mykkänen as its parliamentary group Chair while radical right Perussuomalaiset (Finns Party) elected Lulu Ranne, Suomen Sosialidemokraattinen Puolue (Social Democratic Party of Finland-SDP) elected Antti Lindtman, Suomen Keskusta (Centre Party of Finland) Eeva Kalli, Vihreä Liitto (Green League) Atte Harjanne, Vasemmistoliito (Left Alliance), Jussi Saramo, Suomenruotsalainenkansanpuolue (Swedish People’s Party of Finland-RKP) Anders Adlercreutz, SuomenKristillisdemokraatit (Christian Democrats of Finland) Peter Östman and Liike Nyt (Movement Now) elected Harry Harkimo.

A total of 200 lawmakers were elected in the parliamentary elections held on April 2.