Helsinki, April 3 (BNA): Finland’s left-wing Prime Minister Sanna Marin on Sunday conceded defeat in the Scandinavian country’s parliamentary elections, as the right-wing opposition National Coalition party claimed victory in an intensely contested contest.
The pro-business National Congress Party was expected to win 48 of the 200-seat parliament, narrowly ahead of the nationalist Finns’ Party with 46 and the Social Democratic Marin Party with 43, with all votes counted, according to Justice Ministry election data, according to election data.
“We got the biggest mandate,” NCP leader Petteri Orbo said in a speech to his followers, vowing to “fix Finland” and its economy.
He will get the first opportunity to form a coalition to gain a majority in parliament as Marin’s term as prime minister was expected to end.
“We got support and got more seats (in parliament). This is an excellent achievement, even if we didn’t finish in first place today,” the prime minister said in a speech to party members.
MI