Finland's general elections

[Carcass]

Aaaaaargh, we will have a center-right coalition government!!! Looks like the Social Democrats are in the opposition for the first time in over a decade.

[stratobabius]

I thought about asking you tomorrow about this.
From the news here in Greece I read that the three coalitions that exist in the parliament agree in the major things...Is that true? We have the same here with the 2 major parties, and I guess in most parts of the world.

[Carcass]

The three biggest parties, Finnish Center, National Coaliton (conservatives, but only economy-wise) and Social Democrats do not differ as much as they do in a lot of countries. Judging from their rethoric National Coalition and SDP look like the opposite poles, but the real alternatives are the small parties, Left Alliance, Green League, Christian Democrats etc. The small parties have a chance to get into the government too. I'm hoping for the greens to have one portfolio.

Both leftist parties sufferend major losses. Center maintained their position as the biggest part in the parliament - with one seat. The biggest winner are National Coaliton.

[stratobabius]

I just saw the stats. 24% for Vanhanen and 22% for each of the rest...
The only real difference I found is that the National Coalition wants the country to enter NATO, while the rest don't want that.

[Carcass]

Yes, they are the biggest supporters of NATO-membership. But both the center and social democrats have (or had) MPs in favour of the membership.

This is an issue that divides the people 50/50, more or less. I don't know what the newest poll suggests.

[Stealth]

Go Social Democrats!!

[Carcass]

Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen, who will lead the new government too, said the coalition will consist of 3 or 4 parties. In about a month we will know.

It'll be interesting too see what happens. My guess is that it will not be one of those rainbow governments (a left-center-right coalition) we had some time ago, but I'm not giving up on the Green League yet...

[Martine]

What a coincidence, we are also having our provincial elections here. For the first time in 250 years, the three principal parties (Liberal, Bloc quebecois and Democratic Action) are back to back as they reached 33% of the vote intention.

Why are we so special? Because we are the only French Province in the whole Canada and, among other issues, we still fight for our French culture. There is also the "Green Party" which mostly speaks about environmental problems and another one which is to my opinion completely useless and reached 1% of the vote intention anyway.

Since our "lovely Stupid Prime Minister", has unilaterally decided to withdraw Canada from the Kyoto Agreement, the Province of Quebec has disagreed and has made representations in that sense to the United Nations (or at least they were there at the big meeting). Now, I have to find before next Monday, which party is the best for our environmental future.

OK, I know you don't care, by I just wanted to intervene in the conversation and have you guys know that I will be voting next Monday and, since I am always happy to learn a little bit more about Finnish people and their culture (and all other countries as well), a little bit of Out-of-Finland culture won't kill anyone even if it is out of this topic.

Love you all.



.

[Carcass]

Of course we care! My brother had a flat mate from Saskatchewan, he wasn't too fond of Quebeceans... is that a real word? Anyway... that's the case with a lot of ethnic minorities.

[NeonVomit]

Just be glad that your politics are not as drama-laden as Italian

[Martine]

Since we fought for over 400 years to keep English people from dominating us, I guess English Canadians are scared of us, so is your brother's friend. They never understood us. We never let them try. Tell her "hello" from me anyway, if you ever cross her or your brother. We share the same money.

Martine, The Truly French Canadian
Martine, Une vraie canadienne française
http://www.myspace.com/martine42
(since our signatures won't show anymore, here's mine)

[Martine]

Just be glad that your politics are not as drama-laden as Italian

Well, tell us, tell us, we want to know (At least, I want to know).

[Carcass]

My brother had a Canadian flat mate, I guess he's back in Winnipeg (that's where he studies) by now. He should be, but you never know of this guy.

[stratobabius]

Just be glad that your politics are not as drama-laden as Italian

Well, tell us, tell us, we want to know (At least, I want to know).

The only thing I know is that the Italian parliament will soon be the finest example that there is life after death.

(considering the age of everyone there)

[NeonVomit]

Just be glad that your politics are not as drama-laden as Italian

Well, tell us, tell us, we want to know (At least, I want to know).

I don't even want to talk about it. Someone Italian could probably enlighten you. Let's put it like this, they've had about 60 governments since 1945.

[Carcass]

Now it's confirmed, Centre Party, National Coalition Party, Swedish People's Party and (woohoo!) Green League will form the new government. So we will have a non-socialist government with an environmental friendly -tag, as the chairman of True Finns put it.