SDP leadership race: Filatov and Urpilainen seen as favourites

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Social Democratic Party Parliamentary group chairwoman Tarja Filatov and the group's deputy chairwoman Jutta Urpilainen emerge as the favourites in a survey of leaders of SDP district associations. Helsingin Sanomat asked the regional leaders who might be a possible favourite as the next leader of Finland's largest opposition party.
     Social Democratic Chairman Eero Heinäluoma unexpectedly announced on Sunday that he would not seek re-election at the party's congress in June this year.
     Before Sunday's ‘announcement, it had been assumed that the leadership race would be one between Heinäluoma and a single challenger, former Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja.
     
On Monday Helsingin Sanomat asked the heads of SDP district organisations who they felt might be in a strong position when choosing the next chair. All but one of the 14 heads of the Social Democratic district organisations were reached. In the one that was not contacted, the association's executive director provided the answers.
     In addition to their own opinions, the local party leaders were asked for an assessment on attitudes among their rank-and-file.
     Eight of the local leaders mentioned Filatov, and seven saw Urpilainen as strong candidates. Filatov was seen as the favourite by five of those surveyed, and Urpilainen was supported by four. Three district leaders did not want to give an opinion.
     In four organisations, Miapetra Kumpula-Natri came up, in addition to Filatov and/or Urpilainen. One district leader mentioned Maria Guzenina-Richardson and one mentioned Erkki Tuomioja.
     
Many of those surveyed felt that Tuomioja was in a weaker position now than before. Supporters of Heinäluoma will not necessarily rally behind Tuomioja, and some of Tuomioja's former supporters might reconsider, now that Heinäluoma is out of the race - especially if the main motive was to get a change in the leadership.
     However, contrary to a previous report that the SDP's student organisation SONK had withdrawn its endorsement of Erkki Tuomioja after the sudden change in the party leadership race, SONK's acting Secretary-General Mikko Sauli told HS International Edition that it was still backing Tuomioja.
     Many of the district leaders felt that the SDP now needs new blood and a younger candidate. Several felt that now would be a good time for a woman to lead the SDP.
     
The Finnish Broadcasting Company (YLE) asked 51 members of the 61-member SDP Party Council.
     In the YLE survey, Tuomioja was mentioned 11 times, and Filatov 10 times. Of the members of the council, 45 per cent were in favour of holding a referendum among party members who should be named to the leadership, while 55 per cent were either opposed, or had reservations.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Eero Heinäluoma to give up SDP leadership (11.2.2008)
  Tuomioja to run for chairman of Social Democratic Party again (14.1.2008)

Helsingin Sanomat