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Thu, 11 Aug, 2016 12:03:06 AM Keskusta still most popular party FTimes – STT Report, Aug 11  File Photo Lehtikuva. The main opposition Suomen Sosialidemokraattinen Puolue (Social Democratic Party of Finland-SDP) has replaced Kansalinen Kokoomus (National Coalition Party) as the country’s second most popular party, reports the national broadcaster YLE quoting its latest monthly tracking poll.
In the survey, 18.9 per cent of the respondents expressed support for SDP, compared to 17.6 per cent support secured by Kokoomus.
SDP Chair Antti Rinne meanwhile told the news agency STT that he aims to see the party’s support share rise beyond 20 per cent.
According to Rinne, SDP could emerge as the number one party in the upcoming municipal elections and a clear frontrunner in the 2019 parliamentary polls.
The next general elections will definitely see the party acquire more than 20 per cent votes, Rinne said.
Earlier, on Tuesday, Rinne said he would announce his interest to continue as the party chair during its National Executive Committee meeting in November. The party’s congress is scheduled to take place in February next year.
The survey found the ruling Suomen Keskusta (Centre Party) has managed to hold on to its position as the country’s most popular party, and even raised its support share by almost one percentage point to 21.8 per cent of the respondents.
The support for Perussuomalaiset (Finns Party), however, has fallen to a six-year low at 7.6 per cent.
Perussuomalaiset Chairman and Foreign Minister Timo Soini, who is now on a business trip to Chile, in a post on his blog said the party is not swayed by poll results or media criticism.
According to Soini, the responsibilities of governance place a strain on the party’s resources.
“Perussuomalaiset is doing poorly in the polls, because it is turning Finland back onto the right track,” Soini wrote.
The mission demands a “mental edge” and patience, he wrote, adding, “I do not surrender.”
The Yle poll conducted by the Economic Research Institute has an error margin of 1.6 percentage points in either direction.
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Finland Times
| Wednesday, 17 April, 2024 |
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