Social Democrats win municipal, county elections in Finland

Finland’s Social Democratic Party (SDP) won both municipal and county elections on Sunday, pushing Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s National Coalition Party into second place.

The SDP secured nearly 25% of the municipal vote and led in county council elections, which oversee healthcare and social services outside Helsinki. The Centre Party placed third, performing well in rural areas.

Government parties, apart from the NCP, lost ground compared to the 2021 municipal elections. Turnout was 54.2% in municipal polls and 51.7% in county races.

SDP leader Antti Lindtman called the 5.5-point gain “historic.” The far-right Finns Party saw its support halve, losing ground in areas affected by healthcare cuts.