The issue of postponing the elections was discussed this week in talks between nine parties represented in the parliament with the Minister of Justice Anna May Henrikson. Eight political forces have agreed to this decision, but only the right-wing populist Finnish party has opposed it.
The elections, which were due to take place on April 18, will be postponed to June 13, but the previous voting is planned to be extended to two weeks – from May 26 to June 8.
Marku Tervahaut, head of the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, told YLE that it is safer to hold elections in June than in April.
In response to the rise in infections, the Finnish government recently declared a state of emergency in the country and proposed closing cafes, bars and restaurants in all rapidly spreading regions of the country for three weeks.
Since the start of the pandemic in Finland, infection with the new coronavirus has been confirmed in more than 61,000 people and the Covid-19 virus has claimed more than 760 lives.
–
