Kokoomus figures blame cuts and Finns Party ties for slump

Kokoomus is facing historically low support, with party activists blaming the government’s spending cuts, weak communications and cooperation with the Finns Party. The findings come from a survey of Kokoomus figures by Yle, which reported that the party had fallen behind the Finns Party in its latest support poll.

The latest poll, published last week, put Kokoomus at its lowest level of support in more than 30 years. The survey responses also point to deepening divisions within the party, six months before the parliamentary election.

Criticism of the government’s approach

Many respondents said Kokoomus was paying a price for taking responsibility for difficult decisions. One said the party had talked extensively about where to make savings but too little about what it wanted to defend, adding that a list of cuts alone could not win public trust.

Others criticised the party’s communications, saying its caution in government had created the impression that “others lead and Kokoomus follows”. One respondent argued that the party should stop assuming the prime minister’s party must tolerate almost anything from its coalition partners to keep the government together.

Government cooperation has been strained by several controversies over racism. In summer 2025, the government held training on racism following the publication of writings by Finns Party ministers.

Finns Party takes credit, respondents say

Many respondents said the Finns Party had been more effective than Kokoomus at managing its public image and taking credit for government projects, including some that Kokoomus had opposed during coalition negotiations. A party image study leaked to the media in October also found that perceptions of Kokoomus had worsened: it was seen as arrogant, and most respondents said their trust in the party had declined.

Some Kokoomus activists said their party should learn from the Finns Party and speak more boldly. Others said Kokoomus’s own message and achievements had been drowned out by what they described as inflammatory rhetoric. Many stressed that the party should stick to its own principles rather than focus too much on what other parties are doing.

The responses showed disagreement over the party’s direction. One respondent said Kokoomus had become too liberal, while another questioned why voters would choose the party if it followed the Finns Party on other issues, including the environment, education and human rights, while the Finns Party had adopted Kokoomus’s economic policies.

Some respondents also blamed party leadership for the decline. They wanted chair Petteri Orpo to challenge coalition partners more firmly over their actions, including controversies over racist statements and subsequent discussions about rules of conduct.

Yle sent its survey to about 180 Kokoomus activists in late October and received nearly 90 responses. Respondents included members of the party council and board, as well as regional party representatives. Their answers were treated anonymously, though their identities were known to Yle.