HELSINKI, April 17 (Reuters) - Finland's anti-euro populist
True Finns Party made big gains in the country's parliamentary
election, results showed on Sunday, raising the risk of
disruption to a euro zone bailout plan for Portugal.
The right-leaning National Coalition became the largest party in parliament for the first time.
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.
RESULTS OF 100 PCT OF VOTES COUNTED
2011 2007 (result)
National Coalition 20.4 22.3
Social Democratic Party 19.1 21.4
True Finns 19.0 4.1
Centre Party 15.8 23.1
Left Alliance 8.1 8.8
Green Party 7.2 8.5
Swedish People's Party 4.3 4.6
Christian Democrats 4.0 4.9
Others 0.4
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.'
'Now the numbers are on the table, and everyone's task now is to build a majority government for Finland.'
'The Finnish people deserve a working majority government...but a lot will depend on the negotiations.'
Soini said that forming a government would not stumble over personalities. 'If we reach agreement on issues and policy, that'll be it.'
'We will get a government in May, but it won't be easy.'
Earlier comments:
'The (EU bailout) package that is there -- I do not believe it will remain.'
'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 KATAINEN:
'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.
Katainen said it looked like his party would lead the government formation talks and said that those negotiations would decide which parties join the next coalition.
He said the goal would be to form a majority government that 'solves Finland's problems and takes its responsible place in Europe.'
'Finland has always been a country that has solved problems, not caused them.'
'It will be the kind of majority that will genuinely solve Finland's future problems and take a responsible grip also in Europe.'
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 became the largest party in parliament for the first time.
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.
RESULTS OF 100 PCT OF VOTES COUNTED
2011 2007 (result)
National Coalition 20.4 22.3
Social Democratic Party 19.1 21.4
True Finns 19.0 4.1
Centre Party 15.8 23.1
Left Alliance 8.1 8.8
Green Party 7.2 8.5
Swedish People's Party 4.3 4.6
Christian Democrats 4.0 4.9
Others 0.4
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.'
'Now the numbers are on the table, and everyone's task now is to build a majority government for Finland.'
'The Finnish people deserve a working majority government...but a lot will depend on the negotiations.'
Soini said that forming a government would not stumble over personalities. 'If we reach agreement on issues and policy, that'll be it.'
'We will get a government in May, but it won't be easy.'
Earlier comments:
'The (EU bailout) package that is there -- I do not believe it will remain.'
'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 KATAINEN:
'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.
Katainen said it looked like his party would lead the government formation talks and said that those negotiations would decide which parties join the next coalition.
He said the goal would be to form a majority government that 'solves Finland's problems and takes its responsible place in Europe.'
'Finland has always been a country that has solved problems, not caused them.'
'It will be the kind of majority that will genuinely solve Finland's future problems and take a responsible grip also in Europe.'
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.