Christian Democrats

The Christian Democrats (Finnish: Kristillisdemokraatit, KD; Swedish: Kristdemokraterna) is a political party in Finland. The party was founded in 1958, chiefly from the Christian faction of the National Coalition Party. The name was initially Finnish Christian League (in Finnish Suomen Kristillinen Liitto, SKL; in Swedish Finlands Kristliga Förbund) but it was changed in 2001.

The Christian Democrats have a tendency of forming alliances with other parties during elections and their success in elections is mainly determined by their success in these alliances^{[citation needed]}. Their own voter base is stable and loyal, totaling around 5% of the electorate.^{[citation needed]}

Ideology

The party follows the tenets of Christian Democracy. It emphasizes "respect of human dignity, the importance of family and close communities, defending the weak, encouraging resourcefulness and individual and collective responsibility, not just for themselves but also for their neighbours and the rest of creation". Membership is open to everyone who agrees with these values and aims.^[1]

The party cherishes the environment and is committed to protection of the environment.^[2]

The Christian Democrats has allied itself with the Centre Party, and in the 2003 elections with National Coalition Party, and in the 2009 European Parliament elections with True Finns.

The Party as lost many of its members to bigger parties, mainly to the National Coalition and Center Party. Its MP Lyly Rajala and MEP Eija-Riitta Korhola defected to the National Coalition in 2003, and the former party secretary Annika Kokko moved National Coalition in 2007.

The party has a high number of members of immigrant backgrounds.^{[citation needed]}

English-speaking members of the party founded their own chapter in Helsinki in 2004. Its monthly meetings attract immigrants to participate in societal matters and the issues that are particularly important to them. In 2005, the Russian speaking chapter was founded in Helsinki.^[3]

The party is an observer member of the European People's Party (EPP).

KD-lehti (English: CD News) is the party's weekly newspaper.

Politicians

List of party chairs

• Olavi Päivänsalo (1958-1964)
• Ahti Tele (1964-1967)
• Eino Sares (1967-1970)
• Olavi Majlander (1970-1973)
• Raino Westerholm (1973-1982)
• Esko Almgren (1982-1989)
• Toimi Kankaanniemi (1989-1995)
• Bjarne Kallis (1995-2004)
• Päivi Räsänen (2004-)

Current members of parliament

• Päivi Räsänen (Häme constituency)
• Kari Kärkkäinen (Pohjois-Savo constituency)
• Sari Palm (Kymi constituency)
• Bjarne Kallis (Vaasa constituency)
• Toimi Kankaanniemi (Keski-Suomi constituency)
• Leena Rauhala (Pirkanmaa constituency)
• Tarja Tallqvist (Uusimaa constituency)

European Parliament

Sari Essayah represents the party in the European Parliament.

Election results

Parliament elections

Local council elections

European parliamentary elections

See also

• Christian Democracy as a political ideology
• Kristillisdemokraattiset Nuoret ry. (Finnish Christian Democrats Youth Organization)

References

External links

• Christian Democrats - Official site (Finnish)

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