The Green League of Finland

Greens in Government

1995-1999
by Pekka Sauri

Finnish parliamentary elections of March 1995 and the formation of the Rainbow Government.

PREVIOUS GOVERNMENT:

The centre-conservative government of Centre Party leader Esko Aho (at 36, youngest-ever prime minister of Finland) remained in power from April 1991 until the 1995 elections. Opposition consisted of Social Democrats, Left-wing Alliance and Greens. Environment secretary from Conservative Party.

POLITICAL SITUATION:

The previous government saw unemployment rocket to 20%, the GNP plummet and Finland join the European Union by referendum in Octobre 1994 (57% Yes - 43% No). Billions were spent to bail banks out of bankruptcy. Budget deficit increased dramatically despite cuts.

ELECTION RESULT:

Election system: 200 MP's, 14 electoral regions, direct proportional representation, no fixed lists.

Social Democratic Party 28% 63 seats (+12) Centre Party 20% 42 seats (-11) Conservatives 19% 39 seats ( -1) Left-wing Alliance 11% 22 seats ( +3) *Green League (Vihreä Liitto) 6,4% 9 seats ( -1) Swedish People's Party 5% 12 seats (+-0) Christian League 4% 8 seats ( +1) Young Progressives 3% 2 seats ( +2) Rural Party 2% 1 seat ( -6) Ecological Party 1% 1 seat ( +1)

A major victory for the Social Democrats was complemented by surprise gains for the Left-wing Alliance. The Centre Party paid the price for the government policy, while the Cons. did unpredictably well. Greens managed to lose one seat despite strong showing in opinion polls. Pekka Haavisto, the chairperson, lost his seat. The progressives ("the bold and the beautiful") made political history by entering parliament at first attempt, and a freak candidate put the minuscule ecological party into parliament.

NEW GOVERNMENT:

Government talks - conducted by leader of social democrats, Paavo Lipponen - were completed in record time. The Centre Party was left out from the beginning, and the Left-wing Alliance and the Greens hanged on (with strong support by social democrats) till the new "rainbow" government was formed. Of the 18 ministerial posts, both the Soc.Dem. and the Cons. hold 6, Left-wing Alliance 2, Swedish Party 2, and the Greens one (the ministry of environment and developmental co-operation). The position went to Pekka Haavisto with two-thirds majority in the national council.

-Immediate result of Green Power: Finlnad wins world championship in ice-hockey.