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Party leaders' images: Finns would most like to have a drink with Virta and Harkimo
🇫🇮 Finland /Culture & Society

Party leaders' images: Finns would most like to have a drink with Virta and Harkimo

From Helsingin Sanomat · () Finnish

Translated from Finnish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Centre Party leader Antti Kaikkonen maintains the best image among Finnish parliamentary party leaders, according to a new poll.
  • The study surveyed respondents on 10 characteristics, finding Kaikkonen most frequently associated with competence and professionalism.
  • While other leaders were rated on traits like humaneness and charisma, Harry Harkimo and Sofia Virta were most preferred for a social outing.

Centre Party leader Antti Kaikkonen continues to hold the top position in terms of image among Finnish parliamentary party leaders, according to a study commissioned by Helsingin Sanomat and conducted by research firm Verian.

The survey presented respondents with 10 characteristics and asked them to identify all party leaders they felt fit each description. Across the board, party leaders received good marks for competence and professionalism. Kaikkonen was most often linked with both these traits, followed by Antti Lindtman (SDP) as the most competent. Rkp's leader Anders Adlercreutz was seen as nearly as professional as Kaikkonen.

Competence and professionalism are qualities that party leaders receive good scores for across the board compared to other characteristics.

— Helsingin SanomatThe article highlights the general perception of competence and professionalism among Finnish party leaders based on the survey.

Minja Koskela (Left Alliance) and Sofia Virta (Green League) were particularly perceived as "human." However, "humaneness" was also one of the most divisive traits, with only 8% finding Prime Minister Petteri Orpo (National Coalition) human, and 6% saying the same for Finance Minister Riikka Purra (Finns Party).

Humaneness is also one of the characteristics that divides the images of party leaders the most.

— Helsingin SanomatThe article notes that perceptions of 'humaneness' varied significantly among different party leaders.

Adlercreutz emerged as the most charismatic party leader, with Harry Harkimo (Movement Now) ranking second. Cooperation ability was more readily associated with party leaders than reliability, with Kaikkonen again most frequently linked to both. Adlercreutz was seen as the second most cooperative, and Koskela as the second most reliable.

When it came to leisure, Harkimo was considered the most relaxed leader. Citizens expressed a preference for getting to know Virta and Koskela better. Harkimo and Virta tied for the top spot when Finns were asked with whom they would most like to have a drink, with Harkimo also believed to be the most entertaining in a group setting. Leaders of government parties were perceived as the least fun company in groups.

Citizens prefer to get to know Minja Koskela and Sofia Virta better.

— Helsingin SanomatThe survey indicated a public interest in further acquaintance with these two party leaders.

Kaikkonen also led in the overall image ranking, with Koskela in second place and Lindtman third. Sari Essayah (Christian Democrats) and Purra ranked at the bottom. This year's results show Koskela as the biggest climber since last year's survey, moving up from seventh place overall. Essayah and Purra swapped places at the bottom of the ranking.

Government party leaders are believed to be the least fun company in a group.

— Helsingin SanomatThe article points out a perception regarding the social engagement of leaders from parties currently in government.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Helsingin Sanomat in Finnish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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