Derkach M.A. Populist Parties in the political history of Finland in the second half of the XX – the beginning of the XXI centuries

Abstract: This article examines the question about the role and place of the Populist Parties in the political history of Finland in the late XX – early XXI centuries.  The attention is focused on the Rural Party of Finland and the “True Finns” party, analyzing the history of their emergence, establishment, and development. The author also explores such issues as cooperation of the Populist Parties with the traditional political establishment, as well as factors that positively and negatively affected the electoral popularity of the populists. The conclusion is made that although in the Finnish political system the Populist Parties played a significant role throughout the long period of time, in the medium-term perspective Finland can become a country, in which these powers will be located on the sidelines of political life. The author’s contribution into the development of this topic is the conclusion that remaining in the executive authorities negatively reflects on the level of electoral popularity of the Populist Party.

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