Finland

Parliament

Political system
Parliamentary system
Structure of parliament
Unicameral
IPU membership
Yes
»

Election results

Data on parliamentary elections, including the background, candidates, voter turnout, results and the formation of the new legislature. By default the latest election results are displayed. Select a date to view results from previous elections.

Background

Election date(s)
19 Apr 2015
Date of dissolution of the outgoing legislature
22 Apr 2015
Timing of election
Upon normal expiry
Number of seats at stake
200
Scope of elections
Full renewal

Candidates

Number of parties contesting the election
16
Total number of candidates
2,146
Number of male candidates
1,301
Number of female candidates
845
Percentage of women candidates
39.4%

Voter turnout

Registered voters
4,221,237
Voters
2,957,163
Voter turnout
70.1%

Results

About the election

The Centre Party (KESK) led by IT millionaire Juha Sipila became the largest party with 49 seats in the 200 member parliament. It was followed by the nationalist Finns Party (formerly "True Finns"), led by Mr. Timo Soini. The four parties in the outgoing government led by the National Coalition Party (KOK) (see note) took a total of 85 seats. On 29 April, President Sauli Niinistö opened the newly elected Parliament. On 29 May, it approved a coalition government led by Mr. Sipila, comprising KESK, Finns Party and KOK.

The 2015 elections were held as the country entered its fourth year of recession, due mainly to the slow-down in its two main industries: mobile phones and timber. It was further damaged by the turbulence in Russia, a major trading partner. During the election campaign, parties focused on ways to boost the economy and the possibility of an additional bailout plan for Greece.

Note:

The government formed by Mr. Jyrki Katainen in 2011 comprised six parties: The National Coalition Party (KOK), the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the Left Alliance (Vas), Swedish People's Party (RKP), the Green League (Vihr) and the Christian Democrats (KD). Mr. Alexander Stubb succeeded Mr. Katainen as Prime Minister in June 2014. Mr. Stubb's coalition government initially comprised the same parties except for the Left Alliance (Vas), but after the Green League withdrew from the government in September 2014, the coalition comprised only four parties: the KOK, the SDP, the RKP and the KD.

Number of parties winning seats
8
Percentage of parties winning seats
50.0%
Percentage of seats won by largest party or coalition
24.5%
Alternation of power after elections
Yes
Number of parties in government
3
Names of parties in government
Centre Party (KESK), Finns Party (PS) and the National Coalition Party (KOK)

Parties or coalitions winning seats

Parties or coalitions winning seats
Political group Total
Center Party (KESK) 49
The Finns Party (PS) 38
National Coalition Party (KOK) 37
Social Democratic Party (SDP) 34
Green League (Vihr) 15
Left Alliance (Vas) 12
Swedish People's Party (RKP) 9
Christian Democrats (KD) 5
Others 1
Members elected, by sex
Number of men elected
117
Number of women elected
83
Percentage of women elected
41.5%
Women Directly Elected
83
Sources

Parliament (27.05.2015, 29.05.2019, 01.01.2017)

Elections website of the Ministry of Justice

New legislature

Total number of men after the election
117
Total number of women after the election
83
Percentage of women after the election
41.5%
First-term parliamentarians
No information available
Percentage of first-term parliamentarians
No information available
Date of the first session
22 Apr 2015

First Speaker of the new legislature

Personal details for the first Speaker of the new legislature
Maria Lohela (Female)
Political party
The Finns Party (PS)
Date of election
29 May 2015

Historical data for IPU membership

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Historical data for IPU membership
Year IPU membership
2020-09
List of values for 2020-09
No
2019-04
List of values for 2019-04
No
2018-06
List of values for 2018-06
No