Race to the Finnish

[hatzel]

Finnish elections do not usually excite much attention abroad, still less apprehension. A long border with Russia gives Finland strategic significance, but it is a small place with a reputation as a stolid member of both the European Union and the euro zone. Most election campaigns feature a dozen or more parties. The one that wins the most votes invites two or three others to form a coalition—and nobody loses much sleep. But the election on April 17th may break the mould because of the astonishing rise of a populist Eurosceptic party, the True Finns, led by Timo Soini.

http://media.economist.com/images/images-magazine/2011/04/16/eu/20110416_euc527.gif

Many Finns are bored by their familiar politicians. A recent survey found that one-third of voters could not name the four parties in today’s coalition. By contrast, Mr Soini’s soundbites about helping impoverished Finns instead of bailing out profligate Greeks or handing cash to immigrants have struck a chord. The True Finns took just 4.1% of votes in the 2007 election, but they are now almost level in the polls with the three bigger parties (see chart). It is anybody’s guess which party will emerge as the biggest on polling day, and thus probably supply the next prime minister.

Some Finns see Mr Soini as a breath of fresh air. But others echo concerns elsewhere in the EU about his potential as a refusenik. Even before the election, Finland had emerged as an awkward partner in EU negotiations; in late March it scuppered plans to expand the size of the euro-zone bail-out fund, for example.

A likely rescue for Portugal, which requested a bail-out on April 6th, has become an election issue. Mari Kiviniemi, the centrist prime minister, cautions against risking recession by undermining the markets. The opposition Social Democrats call for bankers and investors to act responsibly. But the True Finns are dead against help for Portugal.

With the three main parties all pro-EU and euro, it is hard to see how the True Finns could fit into a coalition. Mr Soini suggests that his party could enter government with an independent line on European matters. But other parties reject this idea. Having “one foot in government and the other outside” is unimaginable, says Pekka Ravi of the National Coalition Party (NCP). Mr Soini’s reply is to insist that his party will now aim for “outright victory”. He pledges to seek referendums on future euro rescues.

Such talk is causing alarm in Brussels and Frankfurt. Yet pre-election posturing is the Finnish norm. Instead of campaigning in blocks, each party fights alone. The political horse-trading starts only after the votes are counted. Moreover, Finland’s mainstream parties may yet find a way to keep the difficult Mr Soini out of government. The problem for their European partners is that his attitudes have already infected it.



Source (http://www.economist.com/node/18561217)





(Also...I had hoped the Economist would be above such tabloid-esque puns. But then there is a Finnish language text book called 'From start to Finnish', so I guess it's just too obvious...:rolleyes:)

[sister harb]

Thanks about your post. I hope mr Soini really goes to government. It is fast way how this "true finnish" party lost they supporting here.

:tt2:

[ComradeMan]

"profligate Greeks"
:thumbdown:

Mαλάκα! Ρατσιστική κάθαρμα!

[RGacky3]

Son of a *****.

[RGacky3]

Wheres the left alliance?

[hatzel]

Wheres the left alliance?

They're polling around 8% at present

[Bud Struggle]

Wheres the left alliance?


They have under 10% of the vote.

[hatzel]

They have under 10% of the vote.

Putting them ever so slightly behind...the Greens! Luckily, we all like the Green party round here, remember...:)

[Bud Struggle]

Putting them ever so slightly behind...the Greens! Luckily, we all like the Green party round here, remember...:)
I know George W Bush likes them.

So are these True Finns just right wingers or are they something more sinister?

[hatzel]

So are these True Finns just right wingers or are they something more sinister?

I'll quote Wikipedia:


The party combines left-wing economic policies with strongly conservative social values. Even though True Finns is a Finnish-based movement with only newly emerging international connections, analysts have seen resemblances with the rise of the Tea Party movement in the United States and other similar populist movements in Europe, critical of globalism and the well-connected power elites.

Policies of the party include:

Progressive taxation and the welfare state
Opposition to the European Union and to admission to NATO
Abolition of mandatory Swedish on all levels of education
Decentralization of municipal government
State support for rural regions
Reductions in foreign aid
Strict limits on asylum-seekers
Increased state investment in infrastructure and industry
Pro-industry environmental policy
Tax cuts for small businesses
Tougher punishment for crime
Support to those arts promoting Finnish identity

Their leader's favourite word seems to be 'kansa', which means...'nation', 'folk', people', something like that. Let's just call them the Finnish Tea Party :)

[ComradeMan]

I'll quote Wikipedia:




Their leader's favourite word seems to be 'kansa', which means...'nation', 'folk', people', something like that. Let's just call them the Finnish Tea Party :)

You're British- who was it who said "patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel"?

Ah.... the word "folk/nations" starts being thrown around and not in terms of traditional music either ;)... like here when suddenly the word "patria" starts being thrown around- ALARM BELLS!!!!

[agnixie]

You're British- who was it who said "patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel"?

Ah.... the word "folk/nations" starts being thrown around and not in terms of traditional music either ;)... like here when suddenly the word "patria" starts being thrown around- ALARM BELLS!!!!

Nonsense, they only want the good of the patria...
Okay, point ;)

[Robespierre Richard]

Afaik they are crypto-fascists. They appear to be a left-wing party to the workers but in reality mostly campaign among the middle class, with the media promoting them to everyone else (like the tea party I guess). Also their leader is basically the most left-wing person in their party, others are more into making their racism politically correct by creating words like "immigration criticism."

This I know mostly from a friend who lives in Funland though. He says they are the party of those who make racist comments on the Internet - working professional men who are 25-40 years old.

[JustMovement]

Learning Swedish is mandatory in Finland?

[hatzel]

Learning Swedish is mandatory in Finland?

Indeed. As is learning Finnish, if you want to flip it round the other way :lol: It's a natural effect of living in a bilingual country...

[Havet]

If the 'true finnish' or whatever win, Portugal will likely cease to have european union aid (Lisbon Treaty states that if one european union member seeks assistance, it can only be given with the consent of ALL members), therefore being at the full mercy of the IMF, and consequently, of american interests, which have an economic interest in devaluing the euro even further.

[Gorilla]

"True Finns" lol. I know it's reactionary of me but I find it hilarious when non-Indo-European peoples are racist.

[Nolan]

"True Finns" lol. I know it's reactionary of me but I find it hilarious when non-Indo-European peoples are racist.

Jobbik does not find this funny.

[ComradeMan]

"True Finns" lol. I know it's reactionary of me but I find it hilarious when non-Indo-European peoples are racist.

Why? Since when is racialism/ethnic-tribalism merely an "Indo-European" trait? WWII Japan, African ethnic-conflict, hardcore zionism--- all come to mind.
:confused:

[Gorilla]

Why? Since when is racialism/ethnic-tribalism merely an "Indo-European" trait? WWII Japan, African ethnic-conflict, hardcore zionism--- all come to mind.
:confused:
I know, the impulse to laugh is reactionary. Like, only IE speaking white peoples have the "right" to be racist. And no, there's nothing funny at all about e.g. Jobbik beating up on Roma.

[hatzel]

I'm very confused...:confused:

[NecroCommie]

I have to clear one or two myths about the true finns, just so you would not be confused:

1. The true finns do NOT practice any form of left wing economics or social policies.

They might tell they do, but all their programs lack any sort of concrete suggestions as to what these "left wing policies" mean on their part, not to mention that their candidates are constantly attacking left wing parties for their economic and social policies. Then there is the fact that on concrete votes that the party has taken, it completely 100% lacks it's own line on things, every single time choosing to vote with the neo-liberal national coalition. This is especially blatant on the Helsinkin municipal council where they openly claim to "follow the national coalition" on many central issues.

So the true finns are the basic right-wing party you have everywhere, with the exception that it markets itself as centrist, and is so nationalist that it borders brazen racism.

2. The true finns are "this and this".

Almost every line the true finns have taken during the past ten years has been turned completely the opposite within the past few years. Recently they removed from their party program all the concrete statements that oppose EU, immigration, "green-leftism" and so on. They are basically just a nationalist populist party, with insane emphasis on that "populist" bit. They say anything as long as it can give them support amongst the gullible, while trusting that their words are forgotten by the time they have to vote on it. (usually they are)

Not only that, but the entire party support seems to be based on some kind of personality cult of Timo Soini. When the true finns of Helsinki were polled on who they would vote, over 30% of them said Soini even though Soini is a candidate in the Nyland-region, and as such not an option for citizens of Helsinki. This, and countless other absurdities displayed by the candidates of true finns have semi-rightfully labeled them as a party of "the simple folk", a label their voters seem to think is positive.

In many recent election debates Timo Soini's contributions can be compiled in two statements: "I think the people will know", and "We do this because it is the finnish thing to do/it benefits finns"

[Sentinel]

The 'True Finns' are an anti-immigration populist party with racist candidates. They have managed to get a lot of support through using leftist rhetoric (progressive taxation, the welfare state, etc) during the crisis of capitalism, and by blaming the crisis on the workers of other countries, immigrants etc rather than on capitalism.

In lack of a credible socialist alternative, they have seemed to be the only option to the establishment. In Finland all of the traditional parties usually cooperate and can sit in a government together, a tradition which has continued since the time when Finland was in practice a satellite to the Soviet Bloc.

The post cold war continuation of this joint rule model -- with all parties now pursuing neoliberal politics -- has created an atmosphere of disillusionment towards politics, but also of frustration and anger. Soini and the True Finns have used this situation and canalised these feelings into the wrong direction, getting people to believe that petty nationalism and Soini's empty promises of an 'alternative' are the answer, rather than a true questioning of the capitalist system.

It's really scary actually, very 30s and very scary. But at least according to the last opinion polls, the True Finns have backed a little.

[NecroCommie]

I have to agree with sentinel with the exception of one point. There are several parties who are thought to provide a real alternative to current way of things. The left alliance has surprised many voters in these elections with their cunning knowledge of economics and several ethical issues. People, however, do not feel comfortable with voting for them for depressingly superficial reasons. The left alliance has a tendency to show itself as overtly emotional party of neo-hippies, and this is a dealbreaker for many. I would also critisize the left alliance for it's blind trust in parliamentarism, and considering parliamentarism actual democracy.

The communist party(ies) are all way too small to make an impact in elections, so many authentically communist people vote for the left alliance, not to mention the fact that the finnish culture itself is so insanely nationalist and anti-communist that the sheer names of the parties is the dealbreaker.

[hatzel]

Interestingly enough, a friend of mine was actually taught by one of their candidates, a certain Kari Tykkyläinen (http://www.tykkylainen.com/). This is him:

WKYD-cDd_Gs

:rolleyes:

Okay, I admit, it's mean to judge a candidate by their home videos. We should consult his campaign videos instead. Stuff like...

jRUpCgYgDa8

...or...

H1zeWLXb5U8

Tykkyläinen for president, that's what I say :thumbup:

P.S. My apologies to those without a working knowledge of Finnish to understand anything said in the above videos. It's not worth knowing, though, don't worry...

[agnixie]

Interestingly enough, a friend of mine was actually taught by one of their candidates, a certain Kari Tykkyläinen (http://www.tykkylainen.com/). This is him:


:rolleyes:

Okay, I admit, it's mean to judge a candidate by their home videos. We should consult his campaign videos instead. Stuff like...


...or...


Tykkyläinen for president, that's what I say :thumbup:

P.S. My apologies to those without a working knowledge of Finnish to understand anything said in the above videos. It's not worth knowing, though, don't worry...

Those are hilariously bad. Fitting for a joke ideology.

[Sentinel]

I have to agree with sentinel with the exception of one point. There are several parties who are thought to provide a real alternative to current way of things. The left alliance has surprised many voters in these elections with their cunning knowledge of economics and several ethical issues. People, however, do not feel comfortable with voting for them for depressingly superficial reasons. The left alliance has a tendency to show itself as overtly emotional party of neo-hippies, and this is a dealbreaker for many. I would also critisize the left alliance for it's blind trust in parliamentarism, and considering parliamentarism actual democracy.

The communist party(ies) are all way too small to make an impact in elections, so many authentically communist people vote for the left alliance, not to mention the fact that the finnish culture itself is so insanely nationalist and anti-communist that the sheer names of the parties is the dealbreaker.

Lacking other options and to show their left wing sympathies many may continue voting for the Left Alliance. I also know for a fact that it has some good rank and file members. But I also know that few see it as a serious alternative, something that might challenge the establishment. Had this been the case, it would have gotten the votes that are now going to the 'true finns' instead.

But instead the LA has participated in precisely the 'friendliness tradition' I described in my previous post, shamelessly compromising and cooperating with the bourgeoisie. It has twice sat in the same government as members of the conservative Coalition party. Because of baggage like that it's firmly associated with the establishment by too many workers.

What Finland needs to both defeat the 'true finns' and to achieve true change is a new, radical and militant workers' party.

[NecroCommie]

Well, I have to admit that my experience with the left alliance is indeed gained with their "field-staff".

But yeah, that's the kind of party finland needs, yet it can be a hard undertaking seeing that everything that challenges this culture riddled with political taboos is immediately viewed as being intentionally rebellious for the sake of some superficial street-cred. But then again this is not specifically finnish or nordic or even european phenomenon now is it?

[Robespierre Richard]

http://www.kansansota.net/

I just hope these guys win the elections.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kz6NM9fIumw/SH20aoNYpxI/AAAAAAAAAB4/0tIZ7Qv-Imo/s400/Islamistien+vaarasta+opastaja+pilakuvataiteilija+S eppo+Lehto.JPG

Maybe this guy too

[RGacky3]

The True Finns sound a lot like the Norwegian Progress party, hard right nationalists trying to play a populist line, trying to almost be a type of socialist party even though their politices are all right wing, mainly just to try and get the sofa socialists.

[ComradeMan]

The True Finns sound a lot like the Norwegian Progress party, hard right nationalists trying to play a populist line, trying to almost be a type of socialist party even though their politices are all right wing, mainly just to try and get the sofa socialists.


Well, when did hardcore rightwing parties NOT use populism and try to appear as "socialists"? National Socialism comes to mind....

[Sentinel]

Today is election day in Finland. Last I heard it does no longer seem like the 'True Finns' could become the largest party and thus form government, but we will see. They are still dangerously close, and only marginally smaller than the other major parties (Social Democrats, Coalition Party and Centre).

The first preliminary prognosis will come in an hour.

[RGacky3]

Your country is going socially to France and economically to Sweeden, enjoy.

[Dimmu]

Preliminary results will be live pretty soon.

[Dimmu]

First results are in.

True Finns got 18.6
Kokoomus got 20.2
SDP got 19.5
Center Party got 17.3
Left Alliance got 8.3
Greens got 6.4

[Dimmu]

94% votes has been counted and results are the following

True Finns got 19.1
Kokoomus got 20.3
SDP got 19.1
Center Party got 15.8
Left Alliance got 8.1
Greens got 7.2

[hatzel]

True Finns got 19.1
Kokoomus got 20.3

Voi vittu vittu fitta vittu fitta! :cursing: If True Finns and Kokoomus are the two largest parties (which it looks like they will be. Even if SDP turn out to be larger than the True Finns, it won't be by much), I don't hold out all that much hope for the next few years...but, knowing the Finnish system, it probably won't make the blindest bit of difference :lol:

But that's a pretty poor showing from the Greens. Weren't they pushing for double figures? Definitely polling around 9%, last thing I heard...:confused:

[Dimmu]

Voi vittu vittu fitta vittu fitta! :cursing: If True Finns and Kokoomus are the two largest parties (which it looks like they will be. Even if SDP turn out to be larger than the True Finns, it won't be by much), I don't hold out all that much hope for the next few years...but, knowing the Finnish system, it probably won't make the blindest bit of difference :lol:

But that's a pretty poor showing from the Greens. Weren't they pushing for double figures? Definitely polling around 9%, last thing I heard...:confused:


Yeah, Persut and Kok. will probably for a government and will trade favors. This may turn out to be a very conservative government..

[NecroCommie]

I think emigration is in order...

No, but the situation of the political left is not as dire as it sounds, it's just that the parties fail to convince even those who otherwise would want to vote left. The finnish apathetics are usually some hipster individuals who want to display their individuality by their political apathy. As much as I hate them, they commonly hold strong left-wing views, and as such I think that if any left-wing party just were to actually drive in left-wing policies without this pointless parliamentary bureucratic approach, the left-wing parties would find themselvels with dramatically, perhaps even decisively, larger support base.

[agnixie]

94% votes has been counted and results are the following

True Finns got 19.1
Kokoomus got 20.3
SDP got 19.1
Center Party got 15.8
Left Alliance got 8.1
Greens got 7.2

This is pretty fucking bleak... :crying:

[RGacky3]

Before my Finnish friends shoot themselves, remember left groups tend to do much better in local elections and in my opinion are much more effective in local governments.

[Demogorgon]

Looking for a bright side in the results, it does look like a viable coalition could be formed without the True Finns. What are the chances of that happening though?

[agnixie]

Before my Finnish friends shoot themselves, remember left groups tend to do much better in local elections and in my opinion are much more effective in local governments.

It's not so much being finnish (I'm not) as seeing so many countries where the brown plague seems to want to make a comeback. It only took 8 years and the depression the NSDAP to go from complete joke to forming the german government :/

[Sentinel]

Looking for a bright side in the results, it does look like a viable coalition could be formed without the True Finns. What are the chances of that happening though? Slim, I'm afraid. In Sweden all the other parties took distance to the sweden democrats and vowed to not cooperate with them. But in Finland all the major parties have said that they might form a government with the 'true finns'.

The other parties, including the social democrats, have also been trying to copy their racist politics to get more votes, by making anti-immigration statements etc. I'm not sure if I've ever been more ashamed of being finnish. :(