Tuesday November 26, 2024

Kokoomus moves with Perussuomalaiset, RKP, CD to form govt

Published : 28 Apr 2023, 01:50

Updated : 28 Apr 2023, 01:59

DF Report

Kokoomus leader Petteri Orpo along with Perussuomalaiset leader Riikka Purra, RKP leader Anna-Maja Henriksson and CD leader Sari Essayah spoke about the govt formation talks in the parliament on Thursday. Photo: Finnish Parliament by Hanne Salonen.

Chairman of the Kansallinen Kokoomus (National Coalition Party-NCP) Petteri Orpo on Thursday announced that his party decided to hold official discussions with the radical right political party Perussuomalaiset (Finns Party), Suomenruotsalainenkansanpuolue (Swedish People’s Party of Finland-RKP) and the SuomenKristillisdemokraatit (Christian Democrats of Finland-CD) with the view to form the new government.

Orpo said that in the preliminary discussions the parties sought a common view on how to solve the challenges facing Finland.

Pointing out the consensus reached in the discussions, Orpo said that finding solutions in government formation talks are possible.

"We have big challenges, but I believe that solutions can be found with this alliance,” said the Kokoomus leader.

He said that the four parties will work to form a functioning coalition and a solid programme for the government in June.

Negotiation talks to form the government scheduled to be held from May 2 at the House of the Estates in Helsinki's Kruununhaka neighbourhood.

Earlier on Tuesday, Perussuomalaiset agreed to join the official discussion with the Kokoomus to form the possible upcoming government.

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.