Poll: National Coalition Party increases lead over competitors

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A fresh poll conducted by Suomen Gallup shows that the conservative National Coalition Party now enjoys public support of 24.1 per cent.
     According to the poll, the party has managed to widen its gap with its two closest rivals, the Centre Party and the opposition Social Democrats. In early December, 20.4 per cent of respondents said that they would support the Centre Party if Parliamentary elections were held now, and 21.2 per cent would support the SDP.
     Polls have shown that the National Coalition has been the largest party since the summer, but its lead over the two other large parties has been smaller - about one percentage point.
     
The December poll shows exceptionally robust growth for the National Coalition Party, a slight decline for the Social Democrats, and a somewhat greater decline for the Centre Party.
     The Centre, which was the big winner in the 2007 Parliamentary elections, is now the third-largest party. The poll figures are the lowest that the Centre has had since the 2007 election. The party is in danger of falling below the magical 20 per cent threshold.
     
The survey also indicates that the right-wing populist True Finns party continues to grow.
     In December, the party had 6.1 per cent support, which is two percentage points more than in the March 2007 elections. The two-point increase is greater than that of the National Coalition Party.
     The Green League is also on the rise, polling 9.5 per cent in the new survey. The party’s gap with the Left Alliance is increasing. Both the Left Alliance and the Swedish People’s Party are declining.
     Certainty of party choice has stayed at a high level. Supporters of the National coalition Party are the most determined of their selection. Typically, the greatest amount of uncertainty was among supporters of the Greens.
     
The poll involved interviews with 2425 voting-age Finns nationwide except the Åland Islands. The interviews were conducted between December 1st and 18th. The margin of error for the larger parties is two percentage points.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Latest election poll shows National Coalition pulling away from closest rivals (24.10.2008)

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