SDP tops in popularity, Kokoomus 2nd

The main opposition party in parliament Suomen Sosialidemokraattinen Puolue (Social Democratic Party of Finland-SDP) became the most popular party in the country with 22.8 per cent support while the support for ruling Kansallinen Kokoomus (National Coalition Party), the largest component of the four-party alliance government dropped to 19.8 percent, according to the latest polls by the national broadcaster Yle released on Thursday.

The popularity of the radical rightist Perussuomalaiset (Finns Party), the second largest component of the government also dropped to 19.2 percent.

The support for SDP increased by 2.2 percent from the previous month. The supports for Kokoomus and Perussuomalaiset decreased by 2.3 percent and 1.00 percent respectively from the previous month against the backdrop of discovery of several racist and violent remarks made by some Perussuomalaiset ministers. Another minister of the party also had to resign following controversy over his far-right links.

Another opposition party Suomen Keskusta (Centre Party of Finland) secured fourth place with 10.7 percent popularity followed by Vasemmistoliitto (Left Alliance) with 8.5 percent and Vihreä Liitto (Green League) with 8.0 percent popularity.

The popularity of Keskusta and Vasemmistoliitto increased by 0.7 percent each from the previous months but the popularity of opposition Vihreä Liitto decreased by 0.6 percent.

Two other components of ruling alliance Suomen Kristillisdemokraati (Christian Democratic Party-CD) and the Suomenruotsalainenkansanpuolue (Swedish People’s Party of Finland-RKP) placed seventh and eighth with 4.0 percent and 3.9 percent popularity respectively.

CD is the only ruling party gained popularity with an increase of 0.2 percent , while the popularity of the rest ruling ally RKP decreased by 0.2 percent from the previous month.