According to Helsingin Sanomat its latest political barometer shows the opposition Social Democratic Party pulling the support of just 14.8 percent of voters. One year ago, support for the SDP dipped to 14.9 percent on two occasions.
The poll, which was conducted between May and June, shows the SDP as the largest opposition force. But the paper notes that the Green League now trails the party by just five percentage points with 10 percent of voter intentions. Since the April general election the SDP has haemorrhaged 1.7 percent in voter backing, the paper wrote.
Responding to the numbers, SDP chair Antti Rinne said he had not considered stepping down. However he acknowledged that the party was ripe for change.
Juha Sipilä’s Centre Party remains the party with the greatest support, with 21 percent of voters saying they backed it. That represents no change since the election in April.
NCP overtakes Finns Party, Greens prospering in opposition
Meanwhile the National Coalition Party has overtaken the Finns Party and enjoys the support of the second-highest proportion of voters – 18.5 percent to the Finns Party’s 18 percent. The latest figures represent a clear decline in approval for the Finns Party after a post-election surge.
The poll showed that the Greens led by Ville Niinistö were the most successful opposition party, having gained the approval of 10 percent of voters – an increase over its support during the general election.
The HS poll was conducted by TNS Gallup from mid-May to mid-June via phone interviews with just over 2,400 respondents.