A3 Refereed book chapter or chapter in a compilation book
The National Coalition Party and Finnish political culture
Authors: Vares, Vesa
Editors: Love, Gary; Skov, Egander Christian
Publisher: Manchester University Press
Publication year: 2025
Book title : Conservatism, Christian Democracy and the dynamics of transformation: Traditions, cooperation and influence in North-West Europe, 1945-91
Series title: New Perspectives on the Right
First page : 116
Last page: 135
eISBN: 978-1-5261-7686-8
DOI: https://doi.org/10.7765/9781526176868.00011
Publication's open availability at the time of reporting: No Open Access
Publication channel's open availability : No Open Access publication channel
Abstract
The role of the Finnish conservatives, traditionally voting for the National Coalition Party (f. 1918), has both differed and resembled that of the European conservatives and Christian democrats. This was due to historical peculiarities, the strength of other parties, the Russian influence, etc. After 1945, any sort of conservatism became out-of-date in Finland, when Finland had to adapt a pro-Soviet foreign policy. Moreover, the NCP was only a middle-sized party and could not challenge the governments that were usually based on cooperation between the left-wing and center parties. It was hardly ever accepted to the government before the late 1980s. The political line of the NCP changed to more social and liberal policies in the 1970s. The party emphasized that it rejected conservatism and adapted a pronounced loyal policy towards the official foreign policy. Nevertheless, those who wanted to vote right-wing had practically no other option than the NCP, and its support rose significantly. The NCP is the most pro-EU and pro-NATO political party in Finland and still the party that talks most about economy. However, it has remained as committed to the Nordic welfare state as other Scandinavian right-wing parties. The political line of the British Conservatives has usually been considered very alien. Nowadays the NCP has been challenged by a right-wing populist party, but it is still the most likely party to take part in the government. © Manchester University Press 2025. All rights reserved.
The role of the Finnish conservatives, traditionally voting for the National Coalition Party (f. 1918), has both differed and resembled that of the European conservatives and Christian democrats. This was due to historical peculiarities, the strength of other parties, the Russian influence, etc. After 1945, any sort of conservatism became out-of-date in Finland, when Finland had to adapt a pro-Soviet foreign policy. Moreover, the NCP was only a middle-sized party and could not challenge the governments that were usually based on cooperation between the left-wing and center parties. It was hardly ever accepted to the government before the late 1980s. The political line of the NCP changed to more social and liberal policies in the 1970s. The party emphasized that it rejected conservatism and adapted a pronounced loyal policy towards the official foreign policy. Nevertheless, those who wanted to vote right-wing had practically no other option than the NCP, and its support rose significantly. The NCP is the most pro-EU and pro-NATO political party in Finland and still the party that talks most about economy. However, it has remained as committed to the Nordic welfare state as other Scandinavian right-wing parties. The political line of the British Conservatives has usually been considered very alien. Nowadays the NCP has been challenged by a right-wing populist party, but it is still the most likely party to take part in the government. © Manchester University Press 2025. All rights reserved.
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