Govt survives no-confidence motion

The newly formed government led by Prime Minister Sanna Marin on Tuesday survived a no-confidence motion brought by the opposition.

A total of 105 lawmakers cast votes in support of the five-party coalition government while 80 lawmakers expressed their no confidence. However, 14 lawmakers refrained from voting.

Opposition parties had previously filed an interpellation following a plan to repatriate Finnish citizens currently in the al-Hol refugee camp in Syria. A parliamentary debate on the issue began Tuesday afternoon, reported the national broadcaster Yle.

It was the first no-confidence motion against the newly formed government.

The party elected the new prime minister following the resignation of the outgoing Prime Minister Antti Rinne on December 3.

Rinne had to resign, as one of the components of the ruling coalition, Suomen Keskusta (the Centre Party of Finland), withdrew its backing for Rinne in the wake of the recent massive postal strike across the country.

Meanwhile, the five allies met on Sunday and pledged adherence to the programme of the outgoing cabinet.

The components of the five-party ruling coalition are Sosialidemokraattinen Puolue (the Social Democratic Party of Finland-SDP), Suomen Keskusta (the Centre Party of Finland), Vihreäliitto (Green League), Vasemmistoliitto (Left Alliance) and Suomenruotsalainenkansanpuolue (the Swedish People’s Party of Finland-RKP).