Finland's parliament sees its second high-profile defection this political term as MP Mikko Polvinen formally leaves the Perussuomalaiset (Finns Party) to join the opposition Centre Party. Polvinen's move, announced by Centre Party chair Antti Kaikkonen and parliamentary group leader Antti Kurvinen, follows his temporary expulsion from the Finns Party group last October for breaking coalition government discipline. The Kuhmo-born MP voted against the government line in support of a citizens' initiative to maintain overnight emergency services at Oulaskangas Hospital in Oulainen, highlighting the regional service tensions that ultimately triggered his departure.
From Expulsion to a New Political Home
Polvinen was ejected from the Finns Party parliamentary group for a fixed period last autumn after his vote on the hospital issue. He confirmed on Wednesday he would not seek to rejoin his former group and had been considering a move to another party during his time outside it. His decision culminates a months-long process that began with a rebellion rooted in constituency representation. 'I have been advocating for the freedom to speak up for rural services and people,' Polvinen stated at the announcement, framing his defection as a continuation of that advocacy. 'I am a man of the regions, I know the dreams and worries of regional people. The work for the regions continues.'
The Unique Case of the Spouse-Assistant
A distinctive personal dimension accompanies this political shift. Polvinen's parliamentary assistant is his spouse, who will continue in that role despite his change of party affiliation. The assistant is employed by the Eduskunta's administration, not directly by a political party, allowing the arrangement to continue. Polvinen addressed this directly, suggesting the setup functioned better than in some other parties, a remark he linked to recent harassment scandals within the Social Democratic Party. This practical continuity is unusual in Finnish politics, where staff often align with a minister's or MP's party affiliation, and it underscores the personal-professional intersections common in the tight-knit Helsinki political district.
A Reversal of the Previous Defection Flow
The move marks a reversal in the directional flow of MPs between these two parties during the current term. In autumn 2024, Centre Party MP Pekka Aittakumpu defected to the Finns Party. Polvinen's cross-over to the Centre Party therefore represents a counter-current, illustrating the ongoing realignment and competition for the rural and regional voter base both parties seek to represent. Centre Party group leader Antti Kurvinen expressed optimism that adding Polvinen would aid the party's goal of reclaiming its status as the leading party in the Oulu electoral district, a traditional Centre stronghold that has seen significant political fragmentation.
Discipline and Dialogue in the New Group
Leadership from both sides faced questions about party discipline, the very issue that precipitated Polvinen's exit from the Finns Party. Kurvinen outlined the Centre Party's approach to managing differing viewpoints within its parliamentary group. 'We have people from different backgrounds and of different ages. We have open discussions with different kinds of people and then we form a position,' Kurvinen stated. This description contrasts with the strict coalition loyalty demanded by the Finns Party leadership as part of the current right-wing government, suggesting Polvinen may find more leeway for regional advocacy within his new political home, though the Centre Party itself maintains its own group cohesion rules.