Marin submits resignation of outgoing Finnish government

Following her defeat in Finland’s parliamentary election, Prime Minister Sanna Marin has submitted the resignation from her government.

President Sauli Niinistö accepted the request, his office announced on Thursday.

However, the 37-year-old Social Democrat would remain in office on an acting basis until her successor is found.

Marin had been prime minister since the end of 2019.

She headed a centre-left coalition consisting of no less than five parties.

In Sunday’s election, however, her Social Democrats only came third behind the conservative National Coalition Party and the right-wing populist party The Finns.

This meant that a change of government in Helsinki was imminent.

The conservative election winner Petteri Orpo wanted to hold talks with all parties after Easter about a possible new coalition government.

Marin announced on Wednesday that she would leave her post as leader of the Social Democrats at a party conference in September.

Afterwards, she wanted to continue as a normal member of parliament in Helsinki.

(NAN)