Finland's Prime Minister Sanna Marin Concedes Election to Right-Wing National Coalition Party.
Sanna Marin, who became Finland's youngest-ever prime minister at just 37 years old in 2019, conceded defeat on Sunday as the right-wing National Coalition Party (NCP) claimed victory in the country's parliamentary election.
The NCP won 48 seats, narrowly ahead of the nationalist Finns Party with 46 seats and Marin's Social Democrats on 43 seats. The results, which were announced after all ballots had been counted, marked a significant shift in Finnish politics as Marin's left-wing government struggled to maintain its grip on power.
NCP leader Petteri Orpo vowed to "fix Finland" and its economy during his victory speech, and will now have the first chance at forming a coalition to obtain a majority in parliament.
Marin, who has been criticized for her partying and public spending, acknowledged that her Social Democrats had gained support but did not finish first, describing it as an "excellent achievement." She also vowed to govern with the NCP but said she would not enter government with the Finns Party.
The Finns Party's main goal is to reduce immigration from developing countries outside the European Union and curb deficit spending. Marin's Social Democrats, on the other hand, have been accused of eroding Finland's economic resilience at a time when Europe's energy crisis has hit the country hard.
Finland's recent decision to seek NATO membership in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine was a significant moment in Marin's foreign policy tenure. The process is now almost complete, with Helsinki expected to join within days after all 30 members of the Western defense alliance approved accession.
Sanna Marin, who became Finland's youngest-ever prime minister at just 37 years old in 2019, conceded defeat on Sunday as the right-wing National Coalition Party (NCP) claimed victory in the country's parliamentary election.
The NCP won 48 seats, narrowly ahead of the nationalist Finns Party with 46 seats and Marin's Social Democrats on 43 seats. The results, which were announced after all ballots had been counted, marked a significant shift in Finnish politics as Marin's left-wing government struggled to maintain its grip on power.
NCP leader Petteri Orpo vowed to "fix Finland" and its economy during his victory speech, and will now have the first chance at forming a coalition to obtain a majority in parliament.
Marin, who has been criticized for her partying and public spending, acknowledged that her Social Democrats had gained support but did not finish first, describing it as an "excellent achievement." She also vowed to govern with the NCP but said she would not enter government with the Finns Party.
The Finns Party's main goal is to reduce immigration from developing countries outside the European Union and curb deficit spending. Marin's Social Democrats, on the other hand, have been accused of eroding Finland's economic resilience at a time when Europe's energy crisis has hit the country hard.
Finland's recent decision to seek NATO membership in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine was a significant moment in Marin's foreign policy tenure. The process is now almost complete, with Helsinki expected to join within days after all 30 members of the Western defense alliance approved accession.