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Finns Party eyes government slot

An Yle poll shows that active Finns Party rank-and-file want to see the opposition group in government, if it is successful at the polls in 2015. Chairman Timo Soini says he would be ready to take up the premiership.

Timo Soini
Timo Soini Image: Martti Kainulainen / Lehtikuva

Nearly all active party members polled, 97%, said that the party should aim to take over the Prime Minister's portfolio if it comes out on top in the next parliamentary elections.

Chairman Timo Soini told Yle that he was very pleased to see such solid backing for shouldering government responsibility.

"It is a good and very realistic result. Our people want to have an impact and to take responsibility," said Soini.

Soini added that while the premiership is not one of his dreams, he would be ready to take up the Prime Minister's portfolio if his party wins at the polls in 2015.

The Finns Party starts its annual congress on Saturday in Joensuu. Over the weekend, Timo Soini is expected to confirm whether or not he will seek a seat in next year's Euro-Parliament elections.