Finnish parliamentary election, 1966

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Parliamentary elections were held in Finland on 20 and 21 March 1966. [1] The Social Democratic Party (SDP) overtook the Centre Party as the largest faction in Parliament. Rafael Paasio of the SDP subsequently became Prime Minister and formed a popular front government consisting of the SDP, the Centre Party, the People's Democratic League (SKDL), and the Social Democratic Union of Workers and Smallholders (TPSL) in May 1966. [2] [3]

Finland Republic in Northern Europe

Finland, officially the Republic of Finland is a country in Northern Europe bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, and Gulf of Finland, between Norway to the north, Sweden to the northwest, and Russia to the east. Finland is a Nordic country and is situated in the geographical region of Fennoscandia. The capital and largest city is Helsinki. Other major cities are Espoo, Vantaa, Tampere, Oulu and Turku.

Social Democratic Party of Finland registered political party in Finland

The Social Democratic Party of Finland, shortened to the Social Democrats, is a social-democratic political party in Finland. The party holds 35 seats in Finland's parliament. The party has set many fundamental policies of Finnish society during its representation in the Finnish Government. Founded in 1899, the SDP is Finland's oldest active political party. The SDP has a close relationship with Finland's largest trade union, SAK, and is a member of the Socialist International, the Party of European Socialists, and SAMAK.

Centre Party (Finland) registered political party in Finland

The Centre Party of Finland is a centrist, liberal, agrarian political party in Finland.

Contents

Background

Prior to the elections, Centre Party Prime Minister Johannes Virolainen had led a centre-right coalition government since September 1964. Meanwhile, Paasio had moved the SDP further to the left in order to attract back voters from the TPSL. Finnish society was undergoing a period of radical criticism of traditional values, such as Christianity, marriage, parents' authority over their children, teachers' authority over their students, patriotism, and civil servants' (including judges') authority over private citizens. The Social Democrats and the SKDL tapped into this discontent at the expense of the centre-right coalition. At the same time, leading Social Democrats, such as former Minister of Social Affairs and Minister of the Interior Väinö Leskinen, had promised to support President Kekkonen's foreign policy with regards to the Soviet Union, and his continuance as President.

Johannes Virolainen Finnish Prime Minister

Johannes Virolainen was a Finnish politician and who served as 30th Prime Minister of Finland.

Virolainen's cabinet was the 49th government of Finland. The cabinet existed from 12 October 1964 to 27 May 1966. It was a majority government whose Prime Minister was Johannes Virolainen.

The Minister of Social Affairs and Health is one of the Finnish Government's ministerial positions. The minister is one of two portfolios associated with the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health; the other one is the Minister of Family Affairs and Social Services.

Results

Overall, the leftist coalition achieved a combined majority (51.0%) of the votes cast in the election.

PartyVotes%Seats+/–
Social Democratic Party 645,33927.255+17
Centre Party 503,04721.249–4
Finnish People's Democratic League 502,37421.141–6
National Coalition Party 326,92813.826–6
Liberal People's Party 153,2596.59–5
Swedish People's Party 134,8325.711–2
Social Democratic Union of Workers and Smallholders 61,2742.67+5
Smallholders' Party 24,3511.01+1
Finnish Christian League 10,6460.40New
Åland Coalition 7,1180.310
Independence Party5130.00New
Christian Women of Western Finland1240.00New
Christian-minded of Northern Savonia300.00New
Others510.00–
Write-in lists1610.00–
Invalid/blank votes8,537–––
Total2,378,5831002000
Registered voters/turnout2,800,46184.9––
Source: Tilastokeskus 2004 [4]
Popular vote
SDP
 
27.23%
KESK
 
21.23%
SKDL
 
21.20%
KOK
 
13.79%
LKP
 
6.47%
RKP
 
5.69%
TPSL
 
2.59%
SPP
 
1.03%
Others
 
0.79%

Seats in parliament

Parliament seats
SDP
 
27.50%
KESK
 
24.50%
SKDL
 
20.50%
KOK
 
13.00%
RKP
 
5.50%
LKP
 
4.50%
TPSL
 
3.50%
SPP
 
0.50%
Others
 
0.50%

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References

  1. ↑ Nohlen, D & Stöver, P (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, p606 ISBN   978-3-8329-5609-7
  2. ↑ Seppo Zetterberg et al (2003) A Small Giant of the Finnish History, WSOY
  3. ↑ Allan Tiitta and Seppo Zetterberg (1992) Finland Through the Ages, Reader's Digest
  4. ↑ 595. Eduskuntavaalit 1927–2003 [ permanent dead link ] (Tilastokeskus 2004)
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