Petteri Orpo becomes Finland's new prime minister

By Ahmet Gencturk

ATHENS (AA) - Petteri Orpo, the leader of Finland’s National Coalition Party, has become the country’s new prime minister after approval from parliament and the president on Tuesday.

Orpo will lead the right-wing coalition consisting of the National Coalition Party, the far-right Finns Party, the Swedish People’s Party and the Christian Democrats, according to public broadcaster YLE.

The Cabinet, consisting of eight lawmakers from the National Coalition Party, seven from the Finns Party and four from the Swedish People’s Party and the Christian Democrats, held its first meeting on Tuesday.

The government’s program indicates that the country will pursue right-wing economic and other polices, with proposed changes to immigration laws, according to the broadcaster.

Orpo has said that the new government would invest in improving education, combating climate change, and the safety of the citizens.

In the elections held on April 2, the National Coalition Party received 20.8% of the vote, followed closely by the Finns Party with 20.1%.

The Swedish People's Party and the Christian Democrats both right-wing parties, won 4.3% and 4.2% of the vote, respectively.