On June 9, Finns will head to the polls to elect 15 members to the European Parliament. Recent polls indicate that voter turnout is expected to be higher than in the last election, with nearly 80 percent of Finns expressing their intention to vote, a significant increase from previous elections. In the 2019 EU elections, 42.7 percent of eligible voters participated in Finland.
The dominant theme in this year’s election is defense and security, a shift from the focus on climate change in the previous elections which led to increased support for the Greens. According to support surveys, the coalition is expected to secure the largest number of seats, with potential passers including Henna Virkkunen and Sirpa Pietikäinen. Virkkunen is likely to become the next commissioner, leaving three seats open for other candidates.
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) is expected to win three seats, with sitting MP Eero Heinäluoma as a likely successful candidate. The Greens are forecasted to lose one seat, with sitting meppi Ville Niinistö expected to secure a spot, along with other prominent party representatives.
Other parties such as the Finns Party, Center Party, and Left Alliance are also projected to win seats in the European Parliament based on polling data. High-profile candidates from these parties include Sebastian Tynkkynen, Katri Kulmuni, and Li Andersson. However, parties like RKP, Christian Democrats, and Liike Nyt may struggle to secure seats in this election.
Recent years have seen a shift in the perception of EU tasks, with experienced politicians now viewing positions in the European Parliament as opportunities for interesting career transitions and places of influence. The expectation for quality representation in the EU Parliament has led to the nomination of well-known and experienced candidates from various political parties.
In an effort to inform voters, a financial exam for top candidates will be held on Wednesday from 17:00 to 18:30, as reported by Kauppalehti. This election is poised to shape the representation of Finnish interests in the European Parliament and determine the future direction of EU policies affecting the country.