Helsinki - Finland's opposition Centre Party came out on top in Sunday's general election, far ahead of the parties in Prime Minister Alexander Stubb's left-right coalition, partial results showed.
If the results were to be confirmed, Centre Party leader Juha Sipila, a 53-year-old IT millionaire and newcomer to politics, would become Finland's next prime minister.
More than a third of the electorate cast their ballots in advance voting and with most of those counted, the Centre Party was seen taking 47 of 200 seats in parliament, a projection by public radio and television YLE showed.
The Social Democrats were seen taking 38 seats, Stubb's conservative National Coalition Party 37 seats, and the rightwing eurosceptic Finns Party 33 seats.
"I'm really pleased with these results," Sipila said.
Asked if he was convinced he would be the next prime minister, he replied: "Not yet. I'm a pessimist and I don't want to be disappointed."
Sipila campaigned heavily on his business know-how, vowing to get the euro zone country's economy back on track after three years of recession and stagnation, austerity and failed reforms.
Voters were disgruntled with Stubb's four-party left-right government coalition, which has been paralyzed by internal discord and unable to push through any real policy changes.
If the Centre's victory is confirmed, Sipila's first task will be to pick his coalition partners. Tradition dictates that the largest party takes the post of prime minister and forms a government with the other largest parties to obtain a majority in parliament.
Several weeks of thorny negotiations are expected before Sipila is able to present a coalition, and he has not yet revealed which parties he would like to collaborate with.
AFP
