Finns threaten Portugal rescue plans

The Finnish eurosceptic party True Finns that made big gains in the April 2011 general election renewed its opposition to the proposed EU bail-out for Portugal on the 2 May 2011 as talks get under way to form a government in Helsinki.

On the 12 May 2011 it became clear that Finland has managed to cobble together a parliamentary majority in favour of the €78 billion Portuguese rescue. But in doing so, the country had cast the eurosceptic and anti-bail-out True Finns to lead the official opposition.

The National Coalition Party and the Social Democratic Party would be the main parties of the next Finnish government.

Helsingin Sanomat, 25.5.11: Parliament passes Portugal bailout package 137-49 http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Parliament+passes+Portugal+bailout+package+137-49/1135266412585

Helsingin Sanomat, 6.5.11: Trichet: “We expect everyone to bear their responsibility” http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Trichet+%E2%80%9CWe+expect+everyone+to+bear+their+responsibility%E2%80%9D/1135265933008

EUObserver, 10.5.11: Rehn warns Finland against a Portuguese 'Lehman' http://euobserver.com/9/32302

ESO: Background information: Finnish parliamentary election, 2011 http://www.europeansources.info/record/finnish-parliamentary-election-2011/

Helsingin Sanomat, 3.5.11: Soini softens his stance on Portugal, but True Finns remain adamant http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Soini+softens+his+stance+on+Portugal+but+True+Finns+remain+adamant/1135265815361

Deutsche Welle, 12.5.11: Finnish euroskeptics abandon coalition talks after bailout dispute http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,15069364,00.html

EUObserver, 12.5.11: Finland cobbles together majority for Portuguese bailout http://euobserver.com/9/32322

Helsingin Sanomat, 12.5.11: True Finns not joining next government http://www.hs.fi/english/article/True+Finns+not+joining+next+government/1135266093543

BBC News, 13.5.11: Finland approves Portugal's bail-out http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-13394004

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