Christian Democrats (Finland)
Christian Democrats | |
|---|---|
| Finnish name | Kristillisdemokraatit |
| Swedish name | Kristdemokraterna |
| Leader | Päivi Räsänen |
| Founded | 1958 |
| Headquarters | Karjalankatu 2 C 7 krs. FIN - 00520 HELSINKI |
| Newspaper | KD-lehti |
| Membership (2011) | 13,000[1] |
| Ideology | Christian democracy[2] Social conservatism Soft euroscepticism |
| Political position | Centrism |
| European affiliation | European People's Party (observer) |
| International affiliation | Centrist Democrat International |
| European Parliament group | European People's Party |
| Colours | Blue and orange |
| Parliament | 6 / 200
|
| European Parliament | 1 / 13
|
| Municipalities | 351 / 10,412
|
| Website | |
| www.kristillisdemokraatit.fi | |
The Christian Democrats (Finnish: Kristillisdemokraatit, KD; Swedish: Kristdemokraterna) is a Christian democratic political party in Finland. Formerly known as the Finnish Christian League (Suomen Kristillinen Liitto, SKL; Finlands Kristliga Förbund), the Christian Democrats have six seats in the Finnish Parliament and one in the European Parliament. The party has been represented on Finnish government by Minister of Interior Päivi Räsänen since June 22, 2011
The party was founded in 1958, chiefly from the Christian faction of the National Coalition Party. The party adopted its current name in 2001.
Ideology
The party follows the tenets of Christian Democracy. It emphasizes "respect of human dignity, the importance of family and close communities, defending the weak, encouraging resourcefulness and individual and collective responsibility, not just for themselves but also for their neighbours and the rest of creation". Membership is open to everyone who agrees with these values and aims.[2]
The party cherishes the environment and is committed to protection of the environment.[3]
The Christian Democrats has allied itself with the Centre Party, and in the 2003 elections with National Coalition Party, and in the 2009 European Parliament elections with True Finns.
The Party has lost many of its members to bigger parties, mainly to the National Coalition and Center Party. Its MP Lyly Rajala and MEP Eija-Riitta Korhola defected to the National Coalition in 2003, and the former party secretary Annika Kokko moved National Coalition in 2007.
The party has a high number of members of immigrant backgrounds.[citation needed]
English-speaking members of the party founded their own chapter in Helsinki in 2004. Its monthly meetings attract immigrants to participate in societal matters and the issues that are particularly important to them. In 2005, the Russian-speaking chapter was founded in Helsinki.[4]
The party is an observer member of the European People's Party (EPP).
KD-lehti (English: CD News) is the party's weekly newspaper.
Politicians
List of party chairs
- Olavi Päivänsalo (1958-1964)
- Ahti Tele (1964-1967)
- Eino Sares (1967-1970)
- Olavi Majlander (1970-1973)
- Raino Westerholm (1973-1982)
- Esko Almgren (1982-1989)
- Toimi Kankaanniemi (1989-1995)
- Bjarne Kallis (1995-2004)
- Päivi Räsänen (2004-)
Current members of parliament
- Päivi Räsänen (Häme constituency)
- Sari Palm (Kymi constituency)
- Sauli Ahvenjärvi (Satakunta constituency)
- Peter Östman (Vaasa constituency)
- Leena Rauhala (Pirkanmaa constituency)
- Jouko Jääskeläinen (Uusimaa constituency)
European Parliament
Sari Essayah represents the party in the European Parliament.
Election results
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Parliament elections
| Year | MPs | Votes | Share of votes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1958 | 0 | 3,358 | 0.17% |
| 1966 | 0 | 10,646 | 0.45% |
| 1970 | 1 | 28,228 | 1.40% |
| 1972 | 4 | 65,228 | 2.53% |
| 1975 | 9 | 90,599 | 3.29% |
| 1979 | 9 | 138,244 | 4.77% |
| 1983 | 3 | 90,410 | 3.03% |
| 1987 | 5 | 74,209 | 2.58% |
| 1991 | 8 | 83,151 | 3.05% |
| 1995 | 7 | 82,311 | 2.96% |
| 1999 | 10 | 111,835 | 4.17% |
| 2003 | 7 | 148,987 | 5.34% |
| 2007 | 7 | 134,643 | 4.86% |
| 2011 | 6 | 118,453 | 4.03% |
Local council elections
| Year | Councillors | Votes | Share of votes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | 134 | 49,877 | 2.0% |
| 1976 | 322 | 85,792 | 3.2% |
| 1980 | 333 | 100,800 | 3.7% |
| 1984 | 257 | 80,455 | 3.0% |
| 1988 | 273 | 71,614 | 2.72% |
| 1992 | 353 | 84,481 | 3.2% |
| 1996 | 353 | 75,494 | 3.2% |
| 2000 | 443 | 95,009 | 4.3% |
| 2004 | 392 | 94,666 | 4.0% |
| 2008 | 351 | 106,639 | 4.2% |
European parliamentary elections
| Year | MEPs | Votes | Share of votes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 0 | 63,134 | 2.8% |
| 1999 | 1 | 29,637 | 2.4% |
| 2004 | 0 | 70,845 | 4.3% |
| 2009 | 1 | 69 467 | 4.2% |
See also
- Christian Democracy as a political ideology
- Kristillisdemokraattiset Nuoret ry. (Finnish Christian Democrats Youth Organization)
References
- ^ Niemelä, Mikko (13 March 2011). "Perussuomalaisilla hurja tahti: "Jäseniä tulee ovista ja ikkunoista"". Kauppalehti. Retrieved 20 April 2011.
- ^ a b Christian Democracy. Christian Democrats official website
- ^ Environment and Energy. Christian Democrats
- ^ Immigrants. Christian Democrats
External links
- Christian Democrats - Official site
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