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3rd LD Writethru: Finland reveals new ruling coalition

Xinhua, May 8, 2015 Adjust font size:

Finland's new ruling coalition will be composed of the Center Party, the Finns Party and the National Coalition Party, the three biggest parties in the parliament elected last month.

Juha Sipila, head of Center Party and would-be prime minister, told a press conference on Thursday that there had been discussions about forming a coalition grouping the four largest parties, but in the end it proved unfeasible.

"The biggest problem is our economical situation. We need a strong coalition which is capable to make reforms and implementing those decisions," stressed Sipila.

The Social Democratic Party, the fourth largest party in parliament, will remain the opposition together with the Left Alliance, Greens, Christian Democrats and Swedish People's Party.

The new coalition will occupy 124 seats in the parliament and the opposition parties have 76 seats. It is the first time since early 1970s that the Swedish People Party is out of the ruling coalition.

Antti Rinne, chairman of the Social Democratic Party, said he was disappointed about Thursday's decision.

After announcing the composition of next government in an annex to the parliament building, Sipila said "this is the best option."

Sipila said the negotiations over government programs would begin on Friday, and he would try to form his new cabinet before the end of May.

Sipila's Center Party won the election on April 19, obtaining 49 seats in the 200-seat parliament. The Finns Party came the second with 38 seats, followed by the National Coalition Party with 37 seats. Endit