Henriksson survives no-confidence motion

Minister of Justice Anna-Maja Henriksson on Friday survived a no-confidence motion brought against her in parliament by the main opposition Perussuomalaiset (Finns Party) for the minister’s move to shift the municipal elections.

The government on 6 March decided to shift the municipal elections to 13 June, which was originally scheduled to be held on 18 April, following the worsening coronavirus situation in the country.

Henriksson won the motion by 103 votes to 66 where 30 lawmakers remained absent.

Perussuomalaiset leader Jussi Halla-aho in the motion claimed that the justice minister instructed the municipalities to defer the elections misleading people by breaking law.

The minister rejected the motion, saying eight of the nine parliamentary parties and the Parliamentary Constitution Committee approved the decision of shifting the elections.

Meanwhile, the parliament on Friday also approved the government’s decision of shifting the municipal elections from 18 April to 13 December.