National Coalition Party
A clear guide to National Coalition Party (Kokoomus) in Finland: its history, liberal conservatism ideology, leadership, and where it stands on the economy, social issues, and foreign policy.
Overview
- Country
- Finland
- Founded
- 1918
- Position
- Centre-right
- Leader
- Petteri Orpo
- Headquarters
- Helsinki
The National Coalition Party (Kokoomus) is Finland's main centre-right party and one of its traditional big three, alongside the Social Democrats and the Centre Party. It became the largest party in the 2023 election and its chair, Petteri Orpo, leads a coalition government with the Finns Party, the Swedish People's Party and the Christian Democrats.
The party combines liberal and conservative ideas, describing its values as freedom, education, equal opportunity and democracy. It is strongly pro-European and was the leading advocate of Finnish NATO membership.
History
The party was founded in 1918, shortly after independence, by monarchist conservatives. For decades after the Second World War it was largely kept out of government, partly because of Soviet suspicion of the Finnish right.
It returned to government in 1987 and has rarely been out of it since. It provided prime ministers Harri Holkeri, Jyrki Katainen and Alexander Stubb, and its candidates Sauli Niinistö and Stubb won the presidency in 2012 and 2024. Orpo, chair since 2016, became prime minister after the 2023 election.
Economic Policy
Kokoomus is economically liberal. In government it has prioritised cutting public debt through spending reductions, lowering income taxes and reforming the labour market, including limits on political strikes and more local wage bargaining. These measures have drawn large protests from trade unions.
Foreign Policy
The party is firmly Atlanticist and pro-European. It long argued for NATO membership, which Finland achieved in 2023, and it strongly supports military aid to Ukraine and sanctions on Russia.
Where They Stand
- Prioritises reducing public debt through spending cuts
- Favours lower income taxes and labour market reform
- Strongly supported Finnish NATO membership
- Backs military aid to Ukraine and sanctions on Russia
- Supports deeper cooperation within the European Union
Electoral Record
Kokoomus has typically won around 20 percent of the vote since the 1990s. It won the 2023 parliamentary election with 20.8 percent and 48 of 200 seats, its best result, and has also been the largest party in recent municipal elections.
Position on the Political Compass
National Coalition Party sits on the right-leaning side on economics and is moderate 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
Sauli Niinistö
President, 2012 to 2024
A former finance minister who served two terms as president and steered Finland into NATO.
Alexander Stubb
President since 2024
A former prime minister who won the 2024 presidential election for the party.
Petteri Orpo
Prime Minister since 2023
Party chair since 2016, who formed a right-wing coalition after winning the 2023 election.
Sources and Further Reading
- National Coalition Party (Wikipedia)en.wikipedia.org
- Official party websitekokoomus.fi
Where do you stand?
Take the CoreOpinion Finland political test to see how your views compare with National Coalition Party and the other parties.
Take the Finland Test
Social Policy
On social issues the party has both liberal and conservative wings. It supported same-sex marriage, which became law in 2017, while also favouring stricter immigration and integration rules agreed in the current coalition programme.