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Social Democrats, Finns Tie Victory in Finland General Election - Final Tally

HELSINKI (Sputnik) - The Social Democrats (SDP) secured 40 seats in Finland's 200-member parliament, while the eurosceptic Finns Party won 39 seats, according to the final results released on Monday.
Sputnik

"After counting 100 percent of the votes, the Social Democratic Party gained 17.7 percent or 40 seats in the parliament, the Finns 17.5 percent or 39 seats in the parliament, the National Coalition Party got 17 percent of the vote or 38 seats in parliament, Centre Party of Finland 13.8 percent or 31 seats in parliament, Green League 11.5 percent, or 20 seats, the rest is less than 10 percent", the country’s Justice Ministry statement read.

For the first time no party in the parliamentary elections saw a 20 percent or greater share. Turnout stood at 72 percent, according to the ministry.

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SDP leader Antti Rinne declared earlier a victory in country's general election after partial results showed his party winning by a tight margin with 17.8 percent.

"For the first time since 1999 we are the largest party in Finland […] SDP is the prime minister party", Rinne said, cited by Reuters.

Since the last parliamentary election in 2015, Finland has been governed by a three-party coalition comprised of the right-wing Finns Party, Centre Party and the center-right National Coalition.

Last month, the Finnish government resigned over a failure to get major welfare and healthcare reforms through parliament.

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The Finnish Parliament (Eduskunta) is elected every four years. Under the 1999 Finnish constitution, the Eduskunta is the supreme legislative body of the country. The country is divided into 13 electoral districts.

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With the exception of the Aland Islands, representatives of Eduskunta in other districts are elected by proportional vote. Each district appoints from seven to 36 representatives, depending on the number of people living in it, while the Aland Islands elect only one representative.

Final election results will be announced by 6:00 p.m. local time on the first Wednesday after voting day. Following the final vote tally, the election commission issues notice to those candidates who have been elected.

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