Health care seen as most important theme in next month's municipal elections
Elderly care and drinking water also high priorities for voters
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Health care is the most important issue that voters want to influence in next month’s municipal elections.
According to a survey commissioned by Helsingin Sanomat and conducted by Suomen Gallup, nearly 60% of respondents see heath care as a very important election theme.
Elderly care was seen as very important by 55% of respondents. Neighbourhood security and school funding were prioritised high by 43%, and drinking water quality was a very important concern for 55%.
Respondents to the survey were given a list of 30 different issues that could come forward in the elections. Basic social services appear to increase in importance with the age of the respondent.
Although there is considerable agreement among supporters of different parties, there are also some differences.
Taxation is included among the top five election themes by supporters of the National Coalition Party and the Centre Party. Supporters of the Social Democrats and the Left Alliance see child day care issues as very important. Library services are highly prioritised by supporters of the Green League.
A comparison of the deviations in priorities of supporters of individual parties with those of the population at large indicates that supporters of the Centre Party see support for enterprise and differences in economic development among rural villages and urban neighbourhoods as key issues.
Centre Party voters tend to give public transport a lower priority than the rest of the population.
Supporters of the Social Democratic Party deviate very little from the population at large. However, issues of privatisation and introducing competition into municipal services rank high among SDP voters.
Supporters of the conservative National Coalition Party put a higher-than-average priority on support for enterprise, competition in municipal services, and privatisation, as well as municipal taxation.
Left Alliance voters place high importance on many issues that are fairly low priorities for supporters of the National Coalition Party. They are more likely than supporters of other parties to feel concern for those with low incomes, immigrants, and for the availability of library services and rental housing.
Supporters of the Green League are interested in the development of urban culture, library services, immigrants, as well as theatre, music, and other cultural services. Municipal taxation is a relatively low priority for Green voters.
Women are more likely than men to call for more cultural services. Women are also more concerned with issues such as prostitution and the conspicuous use of intoxicants.
Helsingin Sanomat
Health care seen as most important theme in next month's municipal elections