Finland's anti-euro True Finns party is expected to make big gains in elections that began today, threatening the pro-European government and raising the risk of disruptions to an EU bailout of Portugal.
The country's parliament, unlike others in the euro zone, has the right to vote on EU requests for bailout funds, meaning it could hold up plans to shore up Portugal and bring stability to debt markets.
A poll on Thursday showed The National Coalition - the second largest party in Finland's current governing coalition and a key EU supporter - staking out a narrow lead ahead of the parliamentary poll, with the support of 21 per cent of voters.
That would not be enough to secure a majority in parliament, and analysts expect it to seek a multi-party coalition, possibly involving the True Finns.
Finland's three other main parties - Prime Minister Mari Kiviniemi's Centre party, the True Finns and the opposition Social Democrats – each command the support of between 15 and 19 per cent of voters, according to the poll.
National Coalition minister Jan Vapaavuori on Friday played down fears of a new anti-euro government.
The True Finns, he said, would probably be asked to tone down their rhetoric as a condition of joining the coalition.
The Social Democrats, who are critical of the bailout but supportive of the EU, would be even easier to get on board, he said.
"I'm sure that Finland will be in line with other European countries in the next government," he told Reuters.
The True Finns have said they have no intention of backing down from their opposition to the bailout. But analysts said the party and its leader, Timo Soini, would probably compromise if needed.
Support for the True Finns has nearly quadrupled since the 2007 election, partly fuelled by anxiety over unemployment and pension cutbacks.
The True Finns party has a conservative social agenda but leans to the left on social welfare issues.
"Pensioners have been treated very badly. The allowances have come down, and I'm expecting they will be lowered more," said pensioner Liisa Valkama, as she waited in a queue with a voting ballot in hand.
Reuters