Finnish parliamentary election 2011 - Page 11

On May 13 2011 19:39 Too_MuchZerg wrote:
Prime Minister-designate Jyrki Katainen seems to be forming 5 party coalition government (National Coalition Party, Social Democrats,
Green League, Christian Democrats and Swedish People's Party).

Government seats = 112 Seats
Opposition seats = 88 Seats (though could go down if Left Alliance joins coalition but unlikely)

Small minority and press is already saying it to be "Losers government" (due to True Finns winning election and not getting into coalition)

Government negotiations broke down Wednesday evening. Social Democrats and the Left Alliance left the negotiation table after 13 days of disagreement.

Lead negotiator and PM-designate, Jyrki Katainen (National Coalition Party) told reporters that the parties could not agree on employment or economic policy.

Issues about taxation were particularly difficult, Katainen said.

On Wednesday evening, Katainen said he would be in contact with the Centre Party leadership, but added he doesn’t know how the party is willing to participate in government negotiations.

Katainen said he doesn’t think the Left Alliance and the SDP will return to the negotiation table. He said that he plans to continue negotiating with the National Coalition Party, Christian Democratic Party, Swedish People's Party, the Greens and the Centre Party.

After two months of stops and starts Finland has a new coalition government with National Coalition Party Chair Jyrki Katainen at its head.

At 8.00 o'clock Friday evening leaders of the six parties convened a press conference to confirm that they had reached final agreement on a government agenda and that an administration would be formed.

The new Government Programme is entitled "An Open, Fair and Bold Finland".

The six-party programme will focus primarily on the stabilisation of public finances, reduction of poverty, inequality and discrimination and building lasting economic growth and employment as well as increasing competitiveness.

The incoming government plans to strengthen state finances to the tune of 2.5 billion euros, half of which will come from spending cuts, while the other half will come from taxation.

The right to mortgage interest reductions will be gradually reduced, while capital earnings taxes will be applied progressively, meaning that higher earnigns will be taxed more heavily.

YLE