On June 9, Finns will head to the polls to elect 15 members to the European Parliament. There is an expectation of increased voter turnout compared to the last election, with a notable increase in interest among the electorate. In the 2019 EU elections in Finland, only 42.7 percent of eligible voters cast their votes, but recent surveys indicate that a larger portion of Finns are likely to participate this time around.
In the previous election, climate change was a prominent issue that led to the Greens’ popularity. However, this time around, defense and security have taken precedence as the number one topic for voters. The coalition is poised to become the largest group in this election cycle, with potential seats being filled by notable candidates such as Mika Niisulainen and Lauri Sutela from the National Coalition Party.
The Social Democrats are expected to secure three seats, with sitting MP Eero Heinäluoma likely to pass through once again. The Greens may face a loss of one seat, but key members such as Ville Niinistö and Maria Ohisalo are projected to secure positions. Other parties such as the Finns Party, the Center Party, and the Left Alliance are also expected to secure seats based on current projections.
High-profile candidates from various parties such as Lauri Välimäki from the Finns Party and Katja Halonen from the Green League are vying for positions in the European Parliament. The Christian Democrats and Liike Nyt may face challenges securing a seat based on current projections.
In recent years, there has been a shift in mindset regarding