ELECTIONS IN FINLAND

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26465, 5 July 1951, Page 7

ELECTIONS IN FINLAND

Combined Coalition Majority Held

(Rec. 8 p.m.) HELSINKI. July 4 Finland’s “Bourgeois” parties maintained their combined majority in Parliament, according to the preliminary results of the General Elections announced to-day. The “Bourgeois” parties, which include the Agrarians and the Conservatives, gained 104 seats (they held 108 in the last parliament), while the Social Democrats, who were bitterly criticised by the Russian press and radio, again won 54 and replaced the Agrarians as the largest single party. The Communist-controlled People s Democrats had 42 as against 38 in the last Parliament. The election provided few surprises. Observers said that the increase by the People’s Democrats was because of the small poll—7o per cent, against 78 ner cent, in the last elections in 1948. All supporters of this party traditionally turn out to vote, it was said.

The parties of the Extreme Right which were represented in Finland before World War II were banned by the Peace Treaty* Under Finland’s constitution of January 7. 1907, there is a Single Chamber (Eduskunta), for which women are eligible. It is composed of 200 members, elected by universal suffrage of both sexes. The legislative power is vested in the Chamber and the President. The highest executive power is held by the President, who is elected for a six-year term. The president now is Mr J. K. Paasikivi, who after serving one term was re-electftd in March last year. The Prime Minister is Dr. U. K. Kekkonen, a member of the Agrarian Party one of the winning “Bourgeois’’ Coalition parties.