HELSINKI, April 17 (Reuters) - Finland's anti-euro populist
True Finns Party made big gains in the country's parliamentary
election, initial results showed on Sunday, raising the risk of
disruption to a euro zone bailout for Portugal.
The right-leaning National Coalition was on course to become the largest party in parliament for the first time, according to forecasts from broadcaster YLE.
The leader of the True Finns called for new negotiations over the Portugal deal and said that the current EU bailout package would not remain in place.
Analysts are predicting tough negotiations over who will form the next government and what the government policies will be. The process can take weeks.
FORECASTS FROM BROADCASTER YLE *
2011 2007 (result)
National Coalition 20.3 22.3
True Finns 19.1 4.1
Social Democratic Party 19.1 21.4
Centre Party 15.8 23.1
Left Alliance 8.2 8.8
Green Party 7.3 8.5
Swedish People's Party 4.3 4.6
Christian Democrats 4.0 4.9
Others 0.4
* Based on 96.7 percent of votes counted
COMMENTS FROM LEADING POLITICIANS:
TRUE FINNS LEADER TIMO SOINI:
Asked by Reuters how EU policy could change:
'Hopefuly we are getting the results and paying less to Brussels and that is my aim.'
Asked by Reuters whether the True Finns would push for a renegotiation of a bailout package for Portugal:
'Yes of course... It is a bad deal.'
Earlier comments:
'The (EU bailout) package that is there -- I do not believe it will remain.'
'You respect the will of the willing of the Finnish people. Our party is not a right-wing party. So you should not be too worried.'
'We want social equality..... energy taxes will not rise, (they) should fall and a certain kind of value conservatism will show in the government programme.'
'The new government will have its own programme. It does not nean that the direction will change by 180 decrees, but it means things cannot continue as they are.'
NATIONAL COALITION PARTY LEADER JYRKI KATINEN:
'If things go as they seem to be going, then we have made history,' Katainen told supporters after more than 90 percent of the vote were counted. This could mark the first time the National Coalition emerged as the biggest party in parliament.
Earlier comments:
'Finland has always been a responsible problem solver, not causing problems. This is about a common european cause.'
'After the elections, the biggest parties will begin to look for common ground.'
'I'm not sure if people voted for or against consensus politics. I think people have thought about other things. There was a sense of protest....'
PRIME MINISTER MARI KIVINIEMI, CENTRE PARTY:
'The Centre Party's place during the next term of parliament is in opposition,' Prime Minister Mari Kiviniemi told supporters gathered to watch the election results.
Earlier comments:
'The Portugal discussion was part of the election debate
and it seems it had an impact on the results.'
'It is clear that the leader of the biggest party will start the government formation talks, but of course I will remain party leader.' *
Keywords: FINLAND ELECTION/ (Helsinki newsroom +358-9-680 50 248) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.
The right-leaning National Coalition was on course to become the largest party in parliament for the first time, according to forecasts from broadcaster YLE.
The leader of the True Finns called for new negotiations over the Portugal deal and said that the current EU bailout package would not remain in place.
Analysts are predicting tough negotiations over who will form the next government and what the government policies will be. The process can take weeks.
FORECASTS FROM BROADCASTER YLE *
2011 2007 (result)
National Coalition 20.3 22.3
True Finns 19.1 4.1
Social Democratic Party 19.1 21.4
Centre Party 15.8 23.1
Left Alliance 8.2 8.8
Green Party 7.3 8.5
Swedish People's Party 4.3 4.6
Christian Democrats 4.0 4.9
Others 0.4
* Based on 96.7 percent of votes counted
COMMENTS FROM LEADING POLITICIANS:
TRUE FINNS LEADER TIMO SOINI:
Asked by Reuters how EU policy could change:
'Hopefuly we are getting the results and paying less to Brussels and that is my aim.'
Asked by Reuters whether the True Finns would push for a renegotiation of a bailout package for Portugal:
'Yes of course... It is a bad deal.'
Earlier comments:
'The (EU bailout) package that is there -- I do not believe it will remain.'
'You respect the will of the willing of the Finnish people. Our party is not a right-wing party. So you should not be too worried.'
'We want social equality..... energy taxes will not rise, (they) should fall and a certain kind of value conservatism will show in the government programme.'
'The new government will have its own programme. It does not nean that the direction will change by 180 decrees, but it means things cannot continue as they are.'
NATIONAL COALITION PARTY LEADER JYRKI KATINEN:
'If things go as they seem to be going, then we have made history,' Katainen told supporters after more than 90 percent of the vote were counted. This could mark the first time the National Coalition emerged as the biggest party in parliament.
Earlier comments:
'Finland has always been a responsible problem solver, not causing problems. This is about a common european cause.'
'After the elections, the biggest parties will begin to look for common ground.'
'I'm not sure if people voted for or against consensus politics. I think people have thought about other things. There was a sense of protest....'
PRIME MINISTER MARI KIVINIEMI, CENTRE PARTY:
'The Centre Party's place during the next term of parliament is in opposition,' Prime Minister Mari Kiviniemi told supporters gathered to watch the election results.
Earlier comments:
'The Portugal discussion was part of the election debate
and it seems it had an impact on the results.'
'It is clear that the leader of the biggest party will start the government formation talks, but of course I will remain party leader.' *
Keywords: FINLAND ELECTION/ (Helsinki newsroom +358-9-680 50 248) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.