Perussuomalaiset likely to join Kokoomus-led possible govt

Radical right political party Perussuomalaiset (Finns Party) on Tuesday agreed to join the official discussion with the Kansallinen Kokoomus (National Coalition Party-NCP) to form the possible upcoming government.

Kokoomus leader Petteri Orpo on Tuesday held separate meetings with three political parties including Perussuomalaiset to choose the suitable possible partners for holding formal talks to form the government scheduled to be held from May 2 at the House of the Estates in Helsinki's Kruununhaka neighbourhood.

Perussuomalaiset Chair Riikka Purra after the meeting said her party is interested to join the government as they are very close to reach to understanding on many issues.

She, however, said that there are still differences between her party and Kokoomus on some key issues.

The Perussuomalaiset leader, who mainly focused on tightening immigration policy and delaying the zero carbon emission target as conditions to join the government negotiation talks, said that her party has a long list of demands.

She also hinted to compromise on some issues with the view to form a coalition government.

Orpo said that his party would evaluate the outcomes of the separate talks with the eight political parties held from Friday to Tuesday and take decision regarding further course of action this week.

Speaking on the immigration policy, Orpo said that country's policy must be based around achieving "controlled" immigration.

He also emphasised the need to review the asylum policy, although said that Finland needs to attract skilled workers.

Orpo also held separate talks with the Suomen Keskusta (Centre Party of Finland), which already decided not to join the upcoming government and SuomenKristillisdemokraatit (Christian Democrats of Finland-CD), on Tuesday, on the last day of the three-day separate talks with the political parties.

Christian Democrats leader Sari Essayah told after the meeting that she did not make any commitment to join the upcoming government under the leadership of Kokoomus but hinted that it was possible.

Earlier on Monday, the outgoing Prime Minister, Sanna Marin led Suomen Sosialidemokraattinen Puolue (Social Democratic Party of Finland-SDP) said that her party is not expecting to join the upcoming government led by Kokoomus.

Earlier on April 18, political parties replied to the queries given on April 14 by Petteri Orpo.

The parliamentary groups on April 14 selected Orpo to lead the preliminary discussions to form a new government and Orpo gave the parliamentary groups of the major political parties 24 questions.

Kokoomus narrowly led in the parliamentary polls held on April 2 bagging 48 seats, just two seats higher than its nearest competitor radical right Perussuomalaiset (Finns Party).

Suomen Sosialidemokraattinen Puolue (Social Democratic Party of Finland-SDP) secured third place in the close race election with 43 seats followed by the components of the five-party alliance government Suomen Keskusta (Centre Party of Finland) 23 seats, Vihreä Liitto (Green League) 13 seats, Vasemmistoliito (Left Alliance) 11 seats and Suomenruotsalainenkansanpuolue (Swedish People’s Party of Finland-RKP) nine seats while SuomenKristillisdemokraatit (Christian Democrats of Finland) bagged five seats, Liike Nyt (Movement Now) one and independent candidate one in the 200-seat parliament.