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
International affiliation Centrist Democrat International
European affiliation European People's Party (observer)
European Parliament Group European People's Party
Official colours Blue and orange
Parliament
6 / 200
European Parliament
1 / 13
Municipalities
351 / 10,412
Website
www.kristillisdemokraatit.fi
Politics of Finland
Political parties
Elections

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 was founded in 1958, chiefly from the Christian faction of the National Coalition Party. The party adopted its current name in 2001.

Contents

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.

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

Current members of parliament

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

References

  1. ^ Niemelä, Mikko (13 March 2011). "Perussuomalaisilla hurja tahti: "Jäseniä tulee ovista ja ikkunoista"". Kauppalehti. http://www.kauppalehti.fi/5/i/talous/uutiset/etusivu/uutinen.jsp?oid=20110364985&ext=rss. Retrieved 20 April 2011. 
  2. ^ a b Christian Democracy. Christian Democrats official website
  3. ^ Environment and Energy. Christian Democrats
  4. ^ Immigrants. Christian Democrats

External links

MPs in parliament
National Coalition Party (44) · Social Democratic Party of Finland (42) · True Finns (39) · Centre Party (35) · Left Alliance (14) · Green League (10) · Swedish People's Party of Finland (9+1) · Christian Democrats (6)
Other
Unregistered parties
Member parties
Austria (ÖVP) • Belgium (CDV, CDH) • Bulgaria (DSB, SDS, GERB, DP, ZNS} • Cyprus (DISY) • Czech Republic (KDU–ČSL) • Denmark (C, K) • Estonia (IRL) • Finland (Kok-Saml.) • France (UMP) • Germany (CDU, CSU) • Greece (ΝΔ) • Hungary (Fidesz, KDNP) • Ireland (Fine Gael) • Italy (pdL, UdC, UDEUR) • Latvia (Vienotība) Lithuania (TS) • Luxembourg (CS) • Malta (PN) • Netherlands (CDA) • Poland (PO, PSL) • Portugal (PSD, CDS-PP) • Romania (PD-L, RMDSz-UDMR, PNŢ-CD) • Slovakia (SDKÚ-DS, KDH, SMK-MKP) • Slovenia (SDS, NSi, SLS) • Spain (PP, UDC) • Sweden (M, KD)
Associate parties
Observer parties (EU)
Finland (KD) • Italy (SVP)
Observer parties (non-EU)