FINLAND's Euro sceptic centrist opposition took a surprise early lead, as first results of the Scandinavian nation's first European elections yesterday were released.
Centre Party candidates took 26.1 per cent of the vote, compared with 22.1 per cent for the governing Social Democrats, with 30 per cent of the vote having been counted, officials said.
Other parties belonging to Finland's coalition government took 20.6 per cent of the vote the former communists of the Left Alliance 10.7 per cent, the Greens 5.5 per cent, and the Swedish Liberal Party 4.7 per cent, according to early results.
The Social Democrats, led by the pro European Prime Minister, Mr Paavo Lipponen, took 27 per cent of the vote in last year's parliamentary elections, the party's best showing in 50 years.
In municipal elections held in tandem with yesterday's vote for MEPs, the Social Democrats led early results with 25.2 per cent, followed by the Centrists at 23.7 per cent.
When Finland joined the EU last year, the 16 MEPs were chosen by the Finnish parliament, to reflect the parties' relative strength. Since then, the coalition has carried out a strongly proEuropean policy. Last weekend Finland was approved for membership in the European currency Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM).
The Finnish vote comes a week after Austria which joined the EU at the same time held its own elections for MEPs.