Nordic Euroscepticism and Finland

Abstract

This research aims at analysing how the sentiment of Euroscepticism has evolved in Finland post-accession in 1995. By analysing the referendum results in 1994 on whether or not to join the Union up till surveys conducted 20 years post accession, a history is generated on the view of the Finnish people towards the EU and whether it connotes positive or negative feelings. Additionally the Finns Party had sought to take advantage of the financial crisis which hit Europe in 2008, to manage to substantially increase its support and be elevated to being one of the four largest parties in Finland. In this research the party’s main policies, especially those adopted in the run for the 2011 and 2015 parliamentary elections are analysed, in order to come up to the conclusion that it is soft Eurosceptic in nature. Additionally the party’s strongest supporting electorate is analysed and the regions which most and least favour their ideas are identified.