1917 Finnish parliamentary election

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1917 Finnish parliamentary election
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All 200 seats in the Parliament of Finland
101 seats needed for a majority
 First partySecond party
  KullervoManner.jpg
Leader Kullervo Manner
Party Social Democratic Finnish–Young Finnish–People's
Last election47.29%, 103 seats29.99%, 56 seats
Seats won9261
Seat changeDecrease2.svg 11Increase2.svg 5
Popular vote444,670299,516
Percentage44.79%30.17%
SwingDecrease2.svg 2.50ppIncrease2.svg 0.18pp
 Third partyFourth party
  Filip Saalasti (cropped).jpg 3x4.svg
LeaderFilip SaalastiEric von Rettig
Party Agrarian Swedish People's
Last election9.00%, 19 seats11.76%, 21 seats
Seats won2621
Seat changeIncrease2.svg 7Steady2.svg
Popular vote122,900108,190
Percentage12.38%10.90%
SwingIncrease2.svg 3.38ppDecrease2.svg 0.86pp

Parliamentary elections were held in the Grand Duchy of Finland on 1 and 2 October 1917. The general voter turnout was higher than in previous elections. The Social Democrats lost the absolute majority that they had had in the previous two elections (although they, like the other parties, had increased their number of votes in absolute terms). In other words, the "bourgeois" (non-socialist) parties taken together now had more than half the seats.

Contents

Background

The elections were the result of the constitutional crisis in Finland caused by the Russian revolution. As Russian Tsar Nicholas, head of state in Finland, had abdicated without a successor, the Finnish Parliament stated that it would become the highest power in internal matters. The Russian Provisional Government did not accept this, but ordered premature parliamentary elections, which was thought illegal by the Socialists.

Campaign

The Social Democrats demanded the quick implementation of eight-hour work day and the quick freeing of tenant farmers. The bourgeois parties, on average, wanted first to ensure that Finland would become fully independent, and only then to implement such social and economic reforms. [1] [2]

Results

1917 Eduskunta.svg
PartyVotes%Seats+/–
Social Democratic Party 444,67044.7992–11
Finnish Party–Young Finnish Party–People's Party 299,51630.1761+5
Agrarian League 122,90012.3826+7
Swedish People's Party 108,19010.90210
Christian Workers' Union 15,4891.560–1
Others1,9970.200–
Total992,762100.002000
Valid votes992,76299.51
Invalid/blank votes4,9030.49
Total votes997,665100.00
Registered voters/turnout1,441,07569.23
Source: Mackie & Rose [3]

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References

  1. ↑ Seppo Zetterberg et al (2003) A Small Giant of the Finnish History WSOY
  2. ↑ Allan Tiitta and Seppo Zetterberg (1992) Finland Through the Ages Reader's Digest
  3. ↑ Thomas T. Mackie & Richard Rose (1991) The International Almanac of Electoral History, Macmillan, p243 (vote figures)
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