Saarikko wants to continue as Keskusta Chair

Suomen Keskusta (Centre Party of Finland) Chairperson Annika Saarikko on Saturday expressed her interest to continue as the party chief until mid-2024 despite the massive debacle of her party in the last parliamentary polls.

"I am committed to lead the Keskusta (Centre Party) until the party council in the summer of 2024," said Saarikko, also the Finance Minister of the outgoing government at the party council in Helsinki.

She said that the position comes with responsibility and she would not run away and stay in the scene.

Keskusta bagged 23 seats in the parliamentary polls held on April 2, and the number is eight seats lower than the previous parliamentary election.

Keskusta already decided not to join the upcoming government and play its role in the parliament as an opposition party.

Earlier, Chairpersons of the two other components of the outgoing five-party alliance government announced to quit as the Chiefs of their parties following the elections results.

The outgoing Prime Minister, Sanna Marin on April 5 announced that she would not continue as the Chairperson of the Suomen Sosialidemokraattinen Puolue (Social Democratic Party of Finland-SDP) after the next party council scheduled for September.

The Chairperson of Vihreä Liitto (Green Party), Maria Ohisalo on April 11 announced that she would not continue as the party chief after the next party council scheduled for June.