The leader of the center-right National Coalition party Petteri Orpo, 53, claimed victory in the general elections in Finland on Sunday, where he is expected to succeed social democrat incumbent Sanna Marin. The centre-right is slightly ahead of the nationalist party then the social democrats of Sanna Marin, 37, who had inspired a different way of doing politics.
She loses her post as Prime Minister. She also admitted her defeat: “Congratulations to the winner of the elections, congratulations to the National Coalition, congratulations to the party of the Finns, democracy has spoken”, said the 37-year-old leader in front of her supporters.
The anti-immigration party would break a new record with 46 elected
According to the projection of the public broadcaster, usually close to the final result, the National Coalition party of Petteri Orpo would obtain the most seats, with 48 deputies, ahead of the anti-immigration party of the Finns with a new record of 46 seats. and the Social Democratic SDP (43).
The party candidate who arrives first traditionally inherits the post of Prime Minister in Finland, provided that he can muster a majority in Parliament. “It would be a very big victory”, reacted the possible future head of government Petteri Orpo, who had led the race in the polls during the campaign before seeing his lead melt away in the final sprint.
The differences in votes would be even smaller, according to Yle’s estimates: 20.9% for the center-right, 20.3% for the extreme right and 19.7% for the social democrats.
Sanna Marin wants to wait for the final results
The outgoing Prime Minister has called to wait for the final results. “Let’s wait for the end. I am very grateful to the people who voted en masse for the Social Democrats, ”she said in front of her rivals on the Yle set.
The three parties are indeed progressing compared to the last elections in 2019, with a record promised to the nationalists of the Finns party. “It’s a projection, so let’s take it as such, but it’s an excellent result,” commented its leader Riikka Purra.