image
1

Helsinki, Finland

Finland’s municipal elections: What are the initial results?

Finland’s municipal elections: What are the initial results?

The National Coalition Party has received the highest number of votes

The Finnish municipal elections took place yesterday on Sunday 13 June, after they were postponed from 18 April due to the pandemic. According to the initial results gathered from ballot counting, the National Coalition Party has amassed the highest percentage of votes. More specifically, the NCP has received the support of 21.5% of voters in the country.

Receiving 14.5% of votes, the Finns Party has been called the biggest vote gainer this year. The reason behind this is that their vote share has increased by a whopping 5.7% compared to the 2017 municipal elections.

Losses were recorded by the SDP, Centre Party, Green League, and Left Alliance

Currently in second place, Prime Minister Sanna Marin’s Social Democrats have received the support of 17.6% of voters. Nevertheless, it must be noted that the support for the Social Democratic Party has fallen by 1.8% since 2017.

Although the Centre Party amassed 14.7% of votes, it also experienced the most dramatic fall in support when compared to the previous municipal elections, namely a 2.8% decrease. The results of the Green League and the Left Alliance were 10.9% and 8% with a 1.6% and 0.8% decrease in vote shares, respectively.

A disappointing turnout

The Finnish broadcasting company YLE reported that the 2021 elections saw a turnout of just over 55%. According to polling experts Sami Borg and Elina Kestilä-Kekkonen, this percentage is unusual and out of the ordinary. In fact, it is believed that this year’s voter turnout was the lowest it has been since 1945.

Considering the COVID pandemic and the challenges of the past year, there are many possible explanations for the low turnout. However, the polling experts believe that the summer season may be to blame. As such, Borg concluded that elections must not take place on summer weekends in the future.

In a press release, the Ministry of Justice reported that the constituency electoral committees will meet on 16 June to confirm the final results.

If you want to keep up with how European cities and regions are changing, follow us on FacebookTwitter and Instagram.

Newsletter

Back

Growing City

All

Smart City

All

Green City

All

Social City

All

New European Bauhaus

All

Interviews

All

ECP 2021 Winner TheMayorEU

Latest