Finland election: Sanna Marin fights for survival - BBC News

Polls suggest she is in a tight race with centre-right Petteri Orpo and right-wing populist Riikka Purra.

15 hours agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, EPAImage caption, Riikka Purra (L), Sanna Marin (C) and Petteri Orpo (R)By Erika BenkeIn FinlandShe came to power in December 2019, but Prime Minister Sanna Marin is now facing a tough election battle as head of Finland's centre-left Social Democrats.

Two other parties have mounted a strong challenge and opinion polls suggest the 2 April vote is too close to call.

Petteri Orpo's centre-right National Coalition Party currently has the edge at just over 20% in the polls. But not far behind, the right-wing, populist Finns Party of Riikka Purra are running neck and neck with Ms Marin's centre-left.

This election takes place amid unprecedented international focus over Finland's application to join the Nato military alliance. It shares the EU's longest land border with Russia of 1,300km (810 miles).

Ms Marin's Social Democrats may have started the process, but just because there is overwhelming public support for joining Nato, it does not mean she will complete the move.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-64872698?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=KARANGA

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