Pernaa believes that twists and turns in the exercise of power by the opposition will be expected, particularly between the True Finns and the Centre.

”There will be tough competition for leadership of the opposition, and for votes,” said Pernaa. “Timo Soini is an opposition politician who already has ten years’ experience. There will be adjustments within the Centre party again, after eight years as the party of the Prime Minister. Sure, there’ll be a lot of jostling to lead the opposition.”

The True Finns’ announcement of their intention to remain outside the government did not surprise the researcher. In Pernaa’s opinion opposition became likely once the True Finns’ made clear their unflinching opposition to the Eurozone bailouts.

”When it became clear the True Finns were not ready to review their policy, the idea that they would stay in opposition gained credence,” noted Pernaa.

Pernaa believes that the Centre party’s conservative characteristics could be accentuated by their spell in opposition. The True Finns are already conservative by nature, and the incoming government could even be described as liberal.

Tuomioja: Left Alliance Should Join Talks

Veteran SDP MP and chair of parliament’s Grand Committee, Erkki Tuomioja, thinks that the Left Alliance should still be on board in government formation talks. According to Tuomioja, the National Coalition cannot decide the government’s composition alone.

“I must say that in my view there should be a clear check on the desire and ability of the Left Alliance to join a coalition government,” Tuomioja said on YLE’s breakfast show. “We can’t take a position until that’s clear."