HS Gallup: Supporters of different parties have nearly identical concerns in EU election

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Extensive agreement prevails among supporters of Finland’s various political parties towards the key themes of next month’s election to the European Parliament.
      Promotion of Finland’s national interest, the rights and opportunities of Finns, as well as basic civil rights in the EU are high priorities among supporters of all parties.
      A poll commissioned by Helsingin Sanomat and conducted by the market research company Suomen Gallup assessed the issues that Finnish voters want to influence in the election. The study also examines how much the priorities of the supporters of each individual party deviate from those of the whole electorate.
      The profiles of supporters of the different parties are very similar to one another. The ten most important issues for all groups include promoting the national interest, the rights and opportunities of individuals, and the fundamental rights of EU citizens.
     
There are some differences: taxation and economic growth were among the top ten priorities only among supporters of the National Coalition Party. The position of the poor is among the top ten only among supporters of the Left Alliance and the Green League. The Greens are the only party where nature conservation is among the high priority items.
      An analysis of the deviation of each party from the average of all respondents reveals that supporters of the Centre Party put a higher priority than others on the viability of agriculture, the reduction of gaps in regional development, and the position of religion and values in the EU.
      Supporters of the Social Democratic Party put a higher priority than others on the choice of the European Commission President and the possible President of the EU. Other key issues for the Social Democrats include relations with Russia, unemployment, and differences in income. Supporters of the SDP put a lower-than-average priority on issues of religion and values within the EU.
     
Supporters of the National Coalition Party placed a higher priority than others on possible NATO membership and defence cooperation within the EU.
      Income discrepancies and the position of the poor were less important for National Coalition Party supporters than for those of other parties.
      Supporters of the Left Alliance were more interested than average on the position of poor people, income differences, and gender equality. Few of them see religion and values as legitimate issues for the European Parliament elections.
      The main deviation from the national average for supporters of the Green League was a greater emphasis on nature conservation. Greens were less concerned than others about economic growth and drugs.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Most Finnish candidates for EU Parliament open to more free movement of labour (21.5.2004)

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