Social Democratic Party of Finland
A clear guide to Social Democratic Party of Finland (SDP) in Finland: its history, social democracy ideology, leadership, and where it stands on the economy, social issues, and foreign policy.
Overview
- Country
- Finland
- Founded
- 1899
- Position
- Centre-left
- Leader
- Antti Lindtman
- Headquarters
- Helsinki
The Social Democratic Party of Finland (SDP) is the country's oldest active party and one of its big three. It has close ties to the trade union movement and defends the Nordic welfare model. Since 2023 it has been the main opposition party, led by Antti Lindtman.
The SDP led the government from 2019 to 2023 under Antti Rinne and then Sanna Marin, who became one of the world's youngest prime ministers.
History
The party was founded in 1899 as the Workers' Party of Finland and took its current name in 1903. After the 1918 civil war split the left, it rebuilt itself as a moderate reformist party.
It was a leading party of government for much of the twentieth century and provided several prime ministers and presidents, including Kalevi Sorsa, Mauno Koivisto, Paavo Lipponen and Tarja Halonen. After narrowly winning the 2019 election, it led a centre-left coalition until losing power in 2023, when Marin stepped down and Lindtman was elected chair.
Economic Policy
The SDP supports a strong public sector, universal welfare services and collective bargaining. In opposition it has fought the government's welfare cuts and labour reforms, while presenting its own plan to balance public finances with tax changes and investment.
Foreign Policy
The SDP is pro-European. It supported NATO membership in 2022 after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and it backs aid to Ukraine.
Where They Stand
- Defends universal welfare services and collective bargaining
- Opposes the current government's benefit cuts and labour reforms
- Supports Finnish membership of NATO and the EU
- Backs gender equality and LGBT rights
- Favours investment in education and research
Electoral Record
The SDP won the 2019 election with 17.7 percent of the vote and came third in 2023 with 19.9 percent and 43 seats. It has led national opinion polls since 2024 and was the largest party in the 2025 county elections.
Position on the Political Compass
Social Democratic Party of Finland sits on the left-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
Mauno Koivisto
President, 1982 to 1994
Steered Finland through the end of the Cold War and its early moves toward Europe.
Sanna Marin
Prime Minister, 2019 to 2023
Led the government through the pandemic and Finland's application to join NATO.
Antti Lindtman
Party chair since 2023
A former parliamentary group leader who took over after the 2023 election.
Sources and Further Reading
- Social Democratic Party of Finland (Wikipedia)en.wikipedia.org
- Official party websitesdp.fi
Where do you stand?
Take the CoreOpinion Finland political test to see how your views compare with Social Democratic Party of Finland and the other parties.
Take the Finland Test
Social Policy
The party is socially liberal. It supported same-sex marriage and gender equality measures, and favours work-based immigration alongside integration support.