The former chairperson of the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* party, Timo Soini, has struck back at the newly elected head of the PS, Jussi Halla-aho, by joining 20-MPs to dith the PS and form a new parliamentary bloc called Uusi vaihtoehto, or New Alternative, according to Helsingin Sanomat. The new bloc stated that it wants to remain in government.
The news confirms that the PS are in total disarray and that its chairperson Halla-aho faces a revolt that has caused the party to implode.
If the new bloc succeeds at rejoining government it will be a big blow for migrants and minorities in Finland.
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The PS has a total of 37 MPs, which means that the two factions will comprise of 20 and 17 MPs.
According to Helsingin Sanomat, the new bloc is made up of the following MPs: Simon Elo, Sampo Terho, Vesa-Matti Saarakkala, Kimmo Kivelä, Timo Soini, Jari Lindström, Martti Mölsä, Ari Jalonen, Anne Louhelainen, Kari Kulmala, Pirkko Mattila, Jussi Niinistö, Ritva Elomaa, Kaj Turunen, Tiina Elovaara, Lea Mäkipää, Hanna Mäntylä, Maria Lohela, Reijo Hongisto and Pentti Oinonen.
Prime Minister Juha Sipilä will meet with President Sauli Niinistö at 3pm and present plans to form a new government.
One of the scenarios to unfold from the revolt is that Halla-aho and his team may be forced to resign or will mean the end of the PS.
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