Hesitant Voters, Committed Elite: Explaining the Lack of Eurosceptic Parties in Finland

Abstract

Considering the relatively narrow majority in favour of joining the European Union in the referendum held in 1994, the traditionally state–centric political culture, and low public support for the EU, Finland would seem to have all the key preconditions for adopting a more intergovernmental approach to European integration. Yet, paradoxically, the situation is very much the opposite, with successive Finnish governments consistently in favour of both deeper policy integration and of increasing the powers of supranational institutions. This article examines the lack of elite–level opposition to European integration in Finland, arguing that elite commitment to deeper integration is explained by three factors: the consensual style of politics and bargaining involved in forming coalition governments, the system of formulating national EU policy and the candidate–centred electoral system. Despite the lack of similar support for the EU among the electorate, the main lines of Finnish integration policy will remain stable in the coming years.