SDP tops in popularity, ruling parties go down

The main opposition party in parliament Suomen Sosialidemokraattinen Puolue (Social Democratic Party of Finland-SDP) became the most popular party in the country with 23.5 per cent support while the support for ruling Kansallinen Kokoomus (National Coalition Party), the largest component of the four-party alliance government dropped to 20.2 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 17.3 percent.

The support for SDP increased by 0.3 percent from the previous month. The supports for Kokoomus and Perussuomalaiset decreased by 0.6 percent and 1.00 percent respectively from the previous month.

Another opposition party Suomen Keskusta (Centre Party of Finland) secured fourth place with 10.4 percent popularity followed by Vihreä Liitto (Green League) with 8.7 percent and Vasemmistoliitto (Left Alliance) with 8.5 percent popularity.

The popularity of Keskusta reduced by 0.8 percent while the popularity of Vihreä Liitto and Vasemmistoliitto increased by 1.8 percent and 1.4 percent respectively.

Two other components of ruling alliance the Suomenruotsalainenkansanpuolue (Swedish People’s Party of Finland-RKP) and Suomen Kristillisdemokraati (Christian Democratic Party-CD) and placed seventh and eighth with 4.2 percent and 3.4 percent popularity respectively. The popularity of RKP reduced by 0.4 percent while the popularity of CD reduced by 0.3 percent from the previous month.