| Left Alliance | |
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| Finnish name | Vasemmistoliitto |
| Swedish name | Vänsterförbundet |
| Leader | Paavo Arhinmäki |
| Founded | 1990 |
| Headquarters | Viherniemenkatu 5 A FI-00530 HELSINKI |
| Ideology | Democratic socialism, Eco-socialism |
| Political position | Left-wing |
| International affiliation | None |
| European affiliation | Nordic Green Left Alliance / Party of the European Left |
| European Parliament Group | European United Left–Nordic Green Left |
| Official colours | Red, Green |
| Website | |
| www.vasemmistoliitto.fi | |
| Politics of Finland Political parties Elections |
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The Left Alliance (Finnish: Vasemmistoliitto, Swedish: Vänsterförbundet) is a socialist political party in Finland. It was founded on the basis of the Finnish People's Democratic League and the Communist Party of Finland in 1990 and two other communist organizations merged into it later.
In parliamentary elections, Left Alliance share of the vote has been close to ten percent. The Left Alliance had three portfolios in the two cabinets of Paavo Lipponen (1995-2003). It is a member of the Nordic Green Left Alliance. The party currently has 17 MPs in the Finnish Eduskunta. The party lost its only remaining MEP in 2009 elections. The party uses its state subsidies to publish Kansan Uutiset, which used to be published by the Communist Party of Finland.
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History
The party was founded as a result of a merger between the Finnish People's Democratic League (SKDL - a socialist/communist party), Democratic Alternative (an orthodox pro-Soviet communist party), the Finnish Women's Democratic League (SNDL - a communist organization) and the Communist Party of Finland (SKP). The founding meeting was held in April 1990 in Helsinki, following the publishing of the April Declaration, which emphasised various ideals.
The party's short history has been characterised by internal disputes and bickering, as it was formed by people with very different views on society. There have been several large-scale defections from the Left Alliance to the Social Democratic Party and the newly formed Communist Party of Finland. In 2005, the party's former secretary and SAK's assistant head Matti Viialainen formed a society to promote a merger between the two largest Finnish left-wing political parties, the Left Alliance and the Social Democrats. This caused an outrage within the Left Alliance, and Viialainen was condemned for wanting to break up the party.
In 2006, the party's leader Suvi-Anne Siimes announced her resignation from the post, and the party, as a result of long-standing feuds with the taistoist (orthodox pro-Soviet communist) section of the party. On May 13, 2006, Martti Korhonen was elected as the new party leader.
Ideology
The party is generally strongly anti-EU. More than three quarters opposed EU membership in the 1994 referendum.[1] Some in the party accept EU and others reject.
Facing declining popularity of communism, the party has attempted to associate itself more closely with what it officially calls "punavihreä" (English: red green) ideology, red referring to communism and socialism.
Chairs
- Claes Andersson (1990–1998)
- Suvi-Anne Siimes (1998–2006)
- Martti Korhonen (2006–2009)
- Paavo Arhinmäki (2009–)
Elections results
Parliament elections
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Local council elections
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European parliament elections
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Presidential elections
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References
External links
- Left Alliance website (English)
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