Next Left Country Case – Finland

On Monday 19th of May 2025, the Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS), in partnership with Karl Renner Institute co organised the launch of the booklet “Social Democracy in Finland: a great moving forward show?” authored by Antti Alaja and Johan Wahlsten. 

Part of the FEPS–Karl Renner Institute’s Next Left research programme, this edition explores how Finland’s Social Democratic Party (SDP) is navigating political polarization and the rise of the far right. After leading a centre-left government (2019–2023) and now polling at its highest in two decades, the SDP faces the challenge of balancing traditional support with the need to engage younger voters. 

During this presentation in the presence of SDP representatives, political foundations and members of the Next Left High Level conversation, the authors examined how the party can defend its legacy while crafting a bold, future-oriented agenda. Can Finnish social democracy become a great moving forward show?

For further information on the project, please contact Dr Ania Skrzypek (ania.skrzypek@feps-europe.eu), FEPS Director for Research and Training, or Ms Céline Guedes (celine.guedes@feps-europe.eu), FEPS Partnership and Project Coordinator.