Govt narrowly survives no-confidence motion over food policy

The four-party alliance right-wing government led by Kansallinen Kokoomus (National Coalition Party-NCP) on Friday survived a no-confidence motion brought against it in the parliament over future of Finnish food and rural areas.

The government won the motion by 96 votes to 82 with 20 lawmakers remaining absent, said an official press release.

Main opposition Suomen Sosialidemokraattinen Puolue (Social Democratic Party of Finland-SDP) lawmaker Timo Harakka remained abstained, local media reported.

Opposition Suomen Keskusta (Centre Party of Finland) filed the interpellation on the perceived risks to the future of Finnish food and rural areas on 11 September.

The government responded to the interpellation and Parliament held a debate on the interpellation on Wednesday.

In its plenary session on Friday, Parliament voted on confidence in the government following the interpellation.