Finland’s local elections a test for nation’s young leader
Social Democratic Prime Minister Sanna Marin took office 18 months ago, shortly before the pandemic, and her party is behind in the polls.
Finland is holding local elections which are seen as a first test for its popular young Social Democratic Prime Minister Sanna Marin, who took office 18 months ago, shortly before the pandemic, and whose party is behind in the polls.
The vote to renew local councils in Finland’s more than 300 municipalities is viewed as a key indication of parties’ popularity ahead of the country’s 2023 parliamentary election.
Stakes are higher this time because the elections were postponed for two months due to Covid-19, and because of the tensions inside Ms Marin’s centre-left, five-party governing coalition.
Despite her popularity, the Social Democratic Party, of which she became leader last year, has failed to attract young voters.
Two opposition parties, the conservative National Coalition Party and the populist Finns Party, are in the lead in the polls.
A third of eligible voters, or some 1.5 million people, have already voted in advance. Initial results are expected on Monday.
