Petteri Orpo, chairman of the National Coalition Party, the largest opposition party, says his conservative party would be open to a government partnership with the National Finnish Party.
Orpo told the afternoon newspaper Ilta-Sanomat on Saturday that he expects his party to win the next parliamentary elections in 2023. He said he intends to become prime minister, forming a right-wing government to match the policy of the current center-left government.
Orpo said that co-operation with basic Finns largely depends on the party’s leadership policy, especially attitudes towards the European Union. The national contact point has traditionally been an EU supporter, while the Basic Finns have been mainly Eurosceptic.
"I think that cooperation is possible," said Orpo. "However, that would not be easy. It requires trust and a common agenda. Again, so much depends on what kind of leadership the Basic Finns choose and what kind of political line and view of the people they represent," he said.
In mid-August, the Basic Finns will elect a new chairman to replace them Jussi Halla-aho, immigration hard-line. So far, the MP Riikka Purra seems to be the leading field for the six candidates.
Parliament is already controlled by center-right parties
Both parties are now the largest opposition blocks in parliament, each with 38 seats, just behind the prime minister. Sanna MarinSocial Democratic Party 40 seats.
The fourth-ranked Central Party, the second most important party, has 31 seats, which means that the three right-wing center parties already represent the majority in the 200-seat election season. Adding Christian Democrats would theoretically give the right-wing alliance a solid 112 seats based on the status quo.
On Tuesday, Helsingin Sanomat’s party poll revealed that the NCP is the country’s largest party with 19.9 percent support.
The next test for party support is the first regional elections next January, which will require a “sote” of social and health care reform.
Orphan, 51, is just about to end his sick leave when he had a heart attack in mid-June. He has held three positions in the Cabinet, holding finance, domestic and agricultural portfolios, and two years as Deputy Prime Minister.
Source: The Nordic Page