Finnish Elections - Nationalist Eurosceptics' Big Win

[D.Turtle]

I thought the big winners were the FDP (econ liberals), Linke and Greens.

The FDP is at a dangerously low level of support. If there were national elections right now, they would seriously have to worry about even making it into the parliament. They didn't make the parliament in Rheinland-Pfalz, and just barely scratched by in Baden-Württemberg which once was a stronghold of theirs.

The Left (Linke) is unable to stop their infighting, which is losing them support in western Germany.

The SPD is losing voters to the Greens.

The CDU is losing lots of voters to the Greens.

Basically, everyone is losing support that is all going to the Greens, who are currently on track to having a serious fight with the SPD over second place in the political arena.

Overall, this means that the political movement is towards the left - except not a left dominated by the SPD. For example, here in Baden-Württemberg the CDU has lost its first election ever, with the new government (which will come into power on May 11/12) led by the Greens, with the SPD as the junior party - a historical first here in Germany.

[General Mung Beans]

BTW, how is the German far-right (really Nazis by Another Name) (ie NPD) doing in the polls?

But as for the Greens in Germany and the True Finns here, it seems to be that they're (as others have noted) largely protest votes, against the complacency of the major parties.

[Teebs]

BTW, how is the German far-right (really Nazis by Another Name) (ie NPD) doing in the polls?

But as for the Greens in Germany and the True Finns here, it seems to be that they're (as others have noted) largely protest votes, against the complacency of the major parties.

German polltracker

The most recent polls seem to have 'others' on 5-7%, but obviously that includes more than just the NPD. I would be surprised if they are on more than 2-3%. The Germans, for fairly obvious historical reasons, have a much weaker far right than virtually any other Western European country.

[Marcus Aurelius]

The most recent polls seem to have 'others' on 5-7%, but obviously that includes more than just the NPD. I would be surprised if they are on more than 2-3%. The Germans, for fairly obvious historical reasons, have a much weaker far right than virtually any other Western European country.

Except Finland of course, which after the collapse of the small Constitutional Party in 1991 has almost completely lacked any kind of far right. There has been some attempts by right-wing wackos to form parties, but they never got any seats in the parliament. The True Finns are socially conservative, but their economic policies are a mix of centrist and left wing ideas as far as they actually have any common policy (which they don't have; they're really a hodge-podge party).

[Teebs]

Except Finland of course, which after the collapse of the small Constitutional Party in 1991 has almost completely lacked any kind of far right. There has been some attempts by right-wing wackos to form parties, but they never got any seats in the parliament. The True Finns are socially conservative, but their economic policies are a mix of centrist and left wing ideas as far as they actually have any common policy (which they don't have; they're really a hodge-podge party).

Generally the far right is used to refer to parties which follow a particular brand xenophobic nationalism and social conservatism. Most of the European ones are economically centre or centre-left and somewhat incoherent. I admit I know little about True Finns, but from what you've just said they would fit perfectly into the mould.

[Gunhead]

Just a small update on this. The true finns have decided not to go into government, after common ground over EU bailout was not found after talks.
Here's a cnbc article. More info

And another linky from Business insider


I'm somewhat surprised, it's uncommon for a party that won this big to stay out of government. While this is played by the True Finns as a move to stay true to their ideals, a more cynical mind would say it's more a play for the presidential elections and playing the growing resentment against the bailouts.
Now they're free to sit in the opposition and shout from the sidelines against everything the government does that even remotely can be seen as "Bowing to the EU". We even might have a situation on the horizon where the government doesn't stay in power the whole term.

-Gunhead

[FSTargetDrone]

For an overview of the True Finns, the Wikipedia entry is a good start.

Naturally, their own home page has NOTHING in English.

It's by no means perfect, but open the link in Google Chrome and there will be a "Translate" button at the top of the page. It works fairly well with Finnish to English.