Vapaamielisten Liitto

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Vapaamielisten liitto (Swedish: De Frisinnades Förbund), translated into English as Liberal Union or Liberal League (existed from 1951 to 1965) was a Finnish liberal political party.

[edit] History

Vapaamielisten Liitto was founded in spring 1951, by Edistyspuolue minority, led by Helsinki group, as the party finished its existence.. (Most of the former Edistyspuolue members had joined Finnish People's Party).

Vapaamielisten Liitto included among others MP Rolf B. Berner, minister Teuvo Aura ja Suomen Pankin director of the Finnish Bank and once PM, Sakari Tuomioja. Vapaamielisten Liitto was heir to Edistyspuolue seat in the Liberal International - Finnish People's Party was not accepted into the International as a result.

Vapaamielisten Liitto proposed Sakari Tuomioja as candidate for 1956 presidential elections. He was also supported by Kansallinen Kokoomus, but Tuomioja eventually lost the race to Urho Kekkonen, the agrarian League candidate and a favourite of Moscow.

In 1965 Vapaamielisten Liitto fusioned with Finnish People's Party into Liberal People's Party, founded December 29, 1965 and the Eduskunta factions merged.