May 14, 2008

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Most people in Finland believe their government should not construct any new nuclear facilities, according to a poll by Taloustutkimus released by YLE. 53 per cent of respondents oppose building the country’s sixth nuclear reactor, while 34 per cent support it.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Most people in Finland believe their government should not construct any new nuclear facilities, according to a poll by Taloustutkimus released by YLE. 53 per cent of respondents oppose building the country’s sixth nuclear reactor, while 34 per cent support it.

Matti Vanhanen of the Finnish Centre Party (KESK) has been Finland’s prime minister since June 2003, after the resignation of Anneli Jaatteenmaki.

Finnish voters renewed their Diet in March 2007. In April, Vanhanen formed a coalition government encompassing the KESK, the conservative National Rally (KOK), the Swedish People’s Party (RKP) and the Green League (VIHR). The four political organizations hold 125 seats in the 200-member Diet. In the previous administration, Vanhahen worked exclusively with the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the RKP.

The Nordic country imports almost 70 per cent of its electricity. Finland currently has four commercial nuclear reactors in use, and a fifth is being built near Pori in southern Finland by the French company Areva. This reactor is expected to become operational in the second quarter of 2010.

Lawmakers and the government are discussing the possibility of building a sixth nuclear reactor in Finland. Vanhanen has previously said a sixth reactor is unnecessary, but other political leaders—including parliament speaker and former KOK presidential candidate Sauli Niinisto—disagree.

On May 9, Finnish energy minister Mauri Pekkarinen said the country will likely make a decision about building a sixth reactor in 2010, adding, "The Parliament, if it goes by the same schedule as last time (...) would need maybe five months, and be done by the middle of the fall (of 2010)."

Polling Data

Do you support or oppose building a sixth nuclear reactor in Finland?

Support	34%
Oppose	53%

Source: Taloustutkimus / YLE
Methodology: Interviews to 1,000 Fins, conducted in late April and early May 2008. Margin of error is 3.1 per cent.