The Social Democrats are banking on the popularity of Prime Minister Sanna Marin

On the international scene, she enjoys near-rock star status – a rather rare fact for a Finnish leader. Age of 34, Sanna Marin had already felt this December 2019, and this is the end of the last plus jeune chef of gouvernement in exercice, in the tête d’une coalition of cinq partis, all of us dirigés by women, who have not had enough time since 35 years. Since then, the Finnish Prime Minister has led her country to join NATO and has become known for her strong stances on Russia.

Also at home, the patron saint of the Social Democrats (since August 2020) is exceptionally popular. Wherever you go, Sana Marin draws crowds. We hurry to take a selfie with her. Before the legislative elections on April 2, his party made him one of the main arguments in his election campaign. On the posters, she’s standing salmon-headed, hair down, all smiling, under the logo “Sinun puolellasi” (” from your side “).

However, his re-election is by no means guaranteed. In the polls, three formations were given neck and neck, with about 19% of the voting intentions. Long in the lead, the (conservative) National Coalition Party — the historical proponent of NATO membership, when the Social Democrats were in retreat — has seen its lead diminish in the past five months and is now in a pocket square with the Nationalists. Party of Finns and Social Democrats.

Scandals did not tarnish his reputation

In Finland, a country of consensus, coalitions differ according to elections. Before April 2, there are two alternatives “They are very distinguished in their programs” Emerging, according to political scientist Goran Djobsund: We could have a government made up of the Conservatives and the Party of Finns, or the Conservatives and the Social Democrats. »

Traditionally, the formation that wins the most seats in parliament is responsible for forming the government. During the last legislative elections in April 2019, the Social Democrats, led by Ante Rinn, won 40 (with 17.7% of the vote), which is one seat more than the Finns’ Party (17.5% of the vote). Then Anti-Ren became prime minister. But he was forced to resign in December 2019, after he threatened a vote of no confidence in Parliament.

He was succeeded by the party’s number two, Sana Marin, then Minister of Transport and Communications. The former mayor of Tampere, the country’s third largest city, was still little known in Finland. After three and a half years, “His record and that of his government will be judged by voters across the political spectrum.”Historian Jenny Karimäki, who specializes in Finnish politics, points out.

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