Finland: Sanna Marin Loses Reelection Bid

Finnish conservative leader Petteri Orpo has won a nail-biting three-way election race, defeating Prime Minister Sanna Marin's centre left.

"We got the biggest mandate," said the leader of the National Coalition Party, after a dramatic night in which the result gradually swung away from Ms Marin's Social Democrats.

Prime Minister of Finland tells Davos that her "only message" is that the Ukraine war must be supported for 15 years or longer if needed. This kind of "perpetual war" rhetoric used to be associated with John McCain-style war fever, now it's associated with the slayyyyyy Girl Boss pic.twitter.com/92w3A2n3Lh

— Michael Tracey (@mtracey) January 18, 2023

Mr Orpo secured 20.8% of the vote, ahead of the right-wing populist Finns Party and the centre left.

The populists won a record 20.1%.

It is a bitter defeat for Ms Marin, who increased her party's seats and secured 19.9% of the vote.

Finland’s application has now been ratified by all members and we will join NATO. Thank you to all countries for your support. As allies, we will give and receive security. We will defend each other. Finland stands with Sweden now and in the future and supports its application.

— Sanna Marin (@MarinSanna) March 30, 2023