Finns Party
A clear guide to Finns Party (Perussuomalaiset) in Finland: its history, national conservatism ideology, leadership, and where it stands on the economy, social issues, and foreign policy.
Overview
- Country
- Finland
- Founded
- 1995
- Position
- Right-wing
- Leader
- Riikka Purra
- Headquarters
- Helsinki
The Finns Party (Perussuomalaiset), formerly the True Finns, is a national-conservative and right-wing populist party. It came second in the 2023 election and joined Petteri Orpo's government, where its chair Riikka Purra is finance minister and deputy prime minister.
Its central issues are reducing immigration, scepticism of the European Union and of ambitious climate policy, and defence of Finnish national identity.
History
The party was founded in 1995 as the successor to the agrarian-populist Finnish Rural Party. Under its long-time leader Timo Soini it made a breakthrough in 2011, winning 19 percent of the vote.
It first entered government in 2015. In 2017 the party elected the more hardline Jussi Halla-aho as leader, prompting most of its ministers and MPs to leave and form Blue Reform, which later vanished. The Finns Party itself recovered strongly, and Riikka Purra succeeded Halla-aho in 2021 and led it into government after the 2023 election.
Economic Policy
In government the party has backed spending cuts to reduce debt, including reductions in some welfare benefits, while presenting itself as defending ordinary workers and pensioners. It opposes costly climate measures that raise fuel and energy prices.
Foreign Policy
The Finns Party is Eurosceptic and opposes further EU integration and joint EU debt. After Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine it supported NATO membership, and it backs aid to Ukraine.
Where They Stand
- Seeks large cuts to immigration and stricter rules for citizenship
- Opposes deeper EU integration and joint EU debt
- Opposes climate policies that raise fuel and energy costs
- Supported Finnish NATO membership after 2022
- Favours tougher sentencing for serious crime
Electoral Record
The party won 19.1 percent in 2011, 17.7 percent in 2015 and 17.5 percent in 2019. In 2023 it took 20.1 percent and 46 seats, its best result. Its support fell in the 2025 municipal and county elections.
Position on the Political Compass
Finns Party sits on the centrist side on economics and is more authoritarian on questions of social freedom and authority.
These positions are approximate and meant as a guide. Take the test to see how your own views compare.
Key Figures
Timo Soini
Leader, 1997 to 2017
Built the party from a fringe group into a major force and served as foreign minister.
Jussi Halla-aho
Leader, 2017 to 2021
Took the party in a more nationalist direction and became Speaker of Parliament in 2023.
Riikka Purra
Leader since 2021
Led the party into government in 2023 and serves as finance minister.
Sources and Further Reading
- Finns Party (Wikipedia)en.wikipedia.org
- Official party websiteperussuomalaiset.fi
Where do you stand?
Take the CoreOpinion Finland political test to see how your views compare with Finns Party and the other parties.
Take the Finland Test
Social Policy
The party is socially conservative. It seeks large reductions in humanitarian and work-based immigration, stricter conditions for citizenship and benefits for non-citizens, and tougher sentencing. Some members have faced criticism and resignations over racist remarks.