• The Centre Party is expected to win the 19 April legislative elections.

  • It will have to join forces with other political parties to form a coalition.

  • These elections occur at a time when Finland is experiencing severe economic troubles.

  • These fierce headwinds have driven the main parties in the running to argue in favour of fiscal orthodoxy.

Ahead in the polls, the Centre Party (Kesk) is expected to win the 19 April legislative elections. Yet it will have to join forces with other political parties to form a ruling coalition. Several themes have emerged during the electoral campaign, including immigration and defence. The Ukrainian conflict has revived fears among the Finnish, who share nearly a third of their borders with Russia1. The National Coalition Party (KoK) even wants to bring closer Finland with NATO. Above all, the economy is playing a central role in the election campaign as GDP contracted in Finland for the third consecutive year in 2014.

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