Six Social Democratic Party (SDP) MPs have submitted a request to the party's parliamentary group for permission to vote against the government's controversial so-called deportation law at a vote in parliament on Friday.
According to Helsingin Sanomat, the six MPs are Elisa Gebhard, Timo Harakka, Krista Kiuru, Johan Kvarnström, Matias Mäkynen and Nasima Razmyar.
The SDP, the largest opposition party, has previously stated that it plans to support the government's proposal.
If enacted, the legislation would allow Finnish border authorities to refuse to accept asylum applications under certain circumstances. The government sees the bill as necessary to tackle any potential use of 'hybrid influencing' by Russia, such as funnelling large groups of migrants to Finnish checkpoints on the eastern land border.
The law change has however garnered much criticism, including that it is in contravention of Finland's constitution and international treaties on asylum.
According to Yle's sources, there was more widespread opposition within the SDP to supporting the government on this issue, but only six of the party's MPs have submitted the request to vote outside of the party line.
To pass on an urgent basis, the bill requires backing from five-sixths of votes cast in Parliament, meaning the government needs opposition backing to enact the legislation.
As the biggest party in opposition, the SDP holds a lot of sway — and if six of its MPs vote against the bill, it could swing the result significantly.
The four parties in the right-wing government led by Prime Minister Petteri Orpo (NCP) hold 108 seats in the 200-seat legislature. The SDP holds 43, while the second-largest opposition party, the Centre, has 23.
According to Helsingin Sanomat, a maximum of 198 votes will be cast in Friday's vote. Speaker of Parliament Jussi Halla-aho (Finns) will not vote and former Centre Party chair Annika Saarikko has announced that she will be absent because she is on maternity leave.
If at least 34 votes cast are against the bill, the five-sixths majority of 165 ‘yes’ votes, will not be reached, the paper predicts.
11.53: Added details about possible votes.