 | |
| Abbreviation | Lib |
| Chairperson | Lassi Kivinen |
| Vice-chairman | Joni-Petteri Kivistö |
| Secretary | Aarne Leinonen |
| Founded | 2014 |
| Legalized | 16 March 2016 |
| Headquarters | Tapionkatu 19 A 17, 33500 Tampere |
| Youth wing | Liberaalinuoret |
| Women's wing | Liberaalinaiset |
| Ideology |
Classical liberalism Market liberalism |
| Colors | Orange |
| Slogan | Vapaus valita (Freedom to Choose) |
| Eduskunta | 0 / 200 |
| European Parliament | 0 / 14 |
| Municipalities | 0 / 8,859 |
| County seats | 0 / 1,379 |
| Website | |
|
liberaalipuolue | |
The Liberal Party â Freedom to Choose ( Finnish: Liberaalipuolue â Vapaus valita, Swedish: Liberalpartiet â Frihet att vĂ€lja), formerly known as the Whisky Party (Finnish: Kansallinen Viskipuolue, [1] Swedish: Whiskypartiet [2]), is a classical-liberal Finnish political party, founded in 2015 and admitted to the register of political parties in 2016. Lassi Kivinen was elected chairman in 2022. [3] The party was de-registered in 2023 after failing to win seats in two consecutive parliamentary elections. [4]
Platform
The party has a liberal view on alcohol policies, but claims a liberal platform overall. [5] Its platform is to promote individual freedom, entrepreneurship, and decision-making based on scientific research. It opposes the political power of interest groups. [6] It aims to decrease prohibitive restrictions, such as limitations on opening hours of restaurants and strict licensing of taxis. [7] Tax reductions are also on its agenda. [8]
History
The impetus for founding the Liberal Party was a 2014 event dubbed "Whiskeygate" by the media. A beer and spirits convention was banned from using the name Olut & Viski Expo (Beer & Whiskey Expo) by the authorities, because the name was interpreted as being advertising of spirits, which is prohibited by the law. The party was to be founded in protest to what was perceived as overbearing regulation. [9]
Whiskey Party was founded the next year, in 2015. Just before the 2015 parliamentary election, the then not registered party promoted itself by handing out free portions of Whiskey. [10] [11] The party also published a campaigning song, "Vastuullisesti" ("Responsibly"). [12]
After the election, the party continued the practice of publicly serving free whiskey to attract signatures for support cards in the cities of Helsinki, Tampere, and Oulu. [13]
By early February 2016, the party had secured the 5,000 signed support cards needed for registration. [6] On 11 February, it submitted its application to the Ministry of Justice, which maintains the political party register of Finland. [14] The party was officially registered on 18 March 2016. [15]
Soon after, the party had gained enough signatures for registration, it was announced that there will be an election about the official name of the party. [16] On 14 May 2016, the party adopted a new name: Liberaalipuolue ("Liberal Party"). [17] The Finnish patent and registration office, however, did not accept the change due to the existence of similarly named associations, such as: Suomen Liberaalinen Puolue ry (Liberal Party of Finland, registered association) and Liberaalit ry (Liberals, registered association). [18] [19]
On 17 June 2016, the party tried to adopt a new name again: The Liberal Party â Freedom to Choose. The name was accepted by the Finnish patent and registration office on 21 June, as the addition to the name was enough to separate it from other associations. [20]
The Liberal Party participated in the municipal elections in 2017 in major cities and allowed as candidates anybody regardless of political experience. [21] [22] The party won 4,117 votes and elected five councilors. None of its candidates were elected in the municipal elections of 2021.
Election results
Parliament of Finland
| Election | Votes | % | Seats | +/- | Government |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 5,014 | 0.16% | 0 / 200
|
New | Extra-parliamentary |
| 2023 | 14,993 | 0.48% | 0 / 200
|
 0
|
Extra-parliamentary |
European Parliamentary elections
| Year | Elected | Votes | Share | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 0 | 3,015 | 0.2% | [23] |
Municipal elections
| Year | Elected | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 5 | 4,117 | 0.2% |
| 2021 | 0 | 947 | 0.0% |
References
- ^ "Kansallinen Viskipuolue merkitty puoluerekisteriin" [National Whiskey Party registered] (in Finnish). Ministry of Justice. 2016-03-18. Retrieved 2016-03-18.
- ^ "Whiskypartiet nÀra registrering" [Whiskey Party near registration]. Hufvudstadsbladet (in Swedish). 10 February 2016. Retrieved 5 June 2016.
- ^ "Liberaalipuolueen puoluekokous jÀrjestettiin HelsingissÀ" [The party congress of the Liberal Party was held in Helsinki] (Press release) (in Finnish). Liberaalipuolue. 22 May 2022.
- ^ "YhdeksÀn puoluetta poistettu puoluerekisteristÀ". Vaalit.fi (in Finnish). Ministry of Justice. 19 April 2023. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
- ^ PietilĂ€inen, Jari (18 March 2016). "Viskipuolue merkittiin puoluerekisteriin â Nimenmuutos heti edessĂ€" [Whiskey Party registered â About to change name immediately]. Helsingin Uutiset (in Finnish). Retrieved 5 June 2016.
- ^ a b Pape-Mustonen, Terhi (18 March 2016). "Kansallinen viskipuolue rekisteröitiin: ei aja kenenkÀÀn etua" [National Whiskey Party registered: will not promote the interest of any particular group]. Maaseudun Tulevaisuus (in Finnish). Retrieved 5 June 2016.
- ^ "Suomeen on syntymĂ€ssĂ€ uusi puolue â viskipuolueella koossa 5 000 kannattajakorttia" [Finland to have a new political party â Whiskey Party has 5, 000 support cards]. Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 2016-02-05. Retrieved 2016-02-09.
- ^ "Ilmaista viinaa jakanut puolue aikoo haastaa nykymenon â vaihtaa myös nimeĂ€" [Party that handed out free alcohol wants to challenge status quo â will also change its name]. Helsingin Uutiset (in Finnish). 18 March 2016. Retrieved 5 June 2016.
- ^ SetÀlÀ, Jasu (17 May 2016). "Liberaalien pitkÀ tie puoluerekisteriin" [Liberals' long way to be registered as a party]. Libero (in Finnish). Retrieved 5 June 2016.
- ^ PietilĂ€inen, Jari (7 January 2016). "Puoluerekisteriin himoitsee nyt moni poppoo â Viskipuolue pÀÀsee pian pelikentille" [Many groups desire to be registered â Whiskey Party to be out on the field soon]. LĂ€nsivĂ€ylĂ€. Retrieved 5 June 2016.
- ^ "Puolue jakoi ilmaista viinaa puistossa HelsingissÀ" [Political party hands out free alcohol at a park in Helsinki] (in Finnish). Ilta-Sanomat. 2016-02-05. Archived from the original on February 16, 2015. Retrieved 2015-02-12.
- ^ Latvala, Jussi (18 March 2016). "Kansallinen Viskipuolue puoluerekisteriin â 'Suomen tulevaisuus nĂ€yttÀÀ todella huolestuttavalta'" [National Whiskey Party registered â "The future of Finland is very concerning"] (in Finnish). YleX. Retrieved 5 June 2016.
- ^ "Viskipuolue tarjosi ilmaista viskiĂ€ Oulussa â poliisilla ei huomauttamista" [Whiskey Party served free whiskey in Oulu â the police have no complaints]. Kaleva (in Finnish). 21 November 2011. Retrieved 5 June 2016.
- ^ "Thursday's papers: Children's home abuse, Whiskey Party starting, less sex for Finns". Yle. 11 February 2016. Retrieved 5 June 2016.
- ^ Blencowe, Annette (18 March 2016). "Viskipuolue merkittiin puoluerekisteriin" [Whiskey Party was registed into the register of parties] (in Finnish). Yle. Retrieved 5 June 2016.
- ^ "Viskipuolue sai 5300 kannattajakorttia kokoon" [Whiskey Party gathers 5, 300 support cards]. Turun Sanomat (in Finnish). STT. 10 February 2016. Retrieved 5 June 2016.
- ^ Suvi Hautanen (2016-05-16). "Viskipuolue vaihtaa nimensÀ Liberaalipuolueeksi" [Whiskey Party changes its name to Liberal Party]. Verkkouutiset (in Finnish). Retrieved 2016-05-16.
- ^ "Viskipuolue jatkaakin viskipuolueena â epĂ€onnistunutta nimenmuutosta juhlistetaan viskillĂ€" [Whiskey Party to remain Whiskey Party after all publisher â failed renaming celebrated with whiskey] (in Finnish). Yle. 2016-05-19. Retrieved 2016-05-19.
- ^ "Viskipuolueen nimenvaihto meni puihin" [Name change of Whiskey Party on the rocks]. Kaleva (in Finnish). STT. 19 May 2016. Retrieved 5 June 2016.
- ^ "Viskipuolue muuttaa nimensĂ€ sittenkin â "Sanaan liberaali ei voi saada yksinoikeutta"" (in Finnish). Yle. 22 June 2016. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
- ^ "Viskipuolueen KÀhÀrÀ: 'SÀÀntely minimiin ja Alkon monopoli alas'" [KÀrhÀ of Whiskey Party: "Regulation to the minimum and down with the monopoly of Alko"]. Keskisuomalainen. 2016-04-02. Retrieved 2016-04-06.
- ^ "'Emme aja kenenkÀÀn etuja' â Suomessa on nyt yksi puolue lisÀÀ" ["We do not promote anybody's interests" â Finland now has one more political party]. Demokraatti (in Finnish). 18 March 2016. Retrieved 5 June 2016.
- ^ "European Elections 2019: Results: Whole country". Ministry of Justice. Retrieved 7 December 2019.
Further reading
- "Viskipuolueen nimen vaihtaminen liberaalipuolueeksi ei onnistu" [Whiskey Party's change of name to Liberal Party not possible], Verkkouutiset
- "Kommentti: Liberaalipuolue törmÀsi heti sÀÀntelyyn" [Comment: Liberal Party immediately ran into regulation], Libero
- "Rekisteriin hyvÀksytty Viskipuolue vaihtaa nimeÀ ja tÀhtÀÀ kunnallisvaaleihin" [Registered Whiskey Party changes name and aims for the municipal election], Helsingin Sanomat
- "Viskipuolue: Nyt testataan sÀÀntö-Suomi â 'Haluavatko suomalaiset tĂ€tĂ€?'" [Whiskey Party: Rule-ridden Finland tested â "Is this what Finns want?"], Uusi Suomi
- "Viranomainen torppasi puolueen suuren suunnitelman â Yle: Juhlii tapausta tarjoilemalla viskiĂ€" [Officials deny the grand plan of Whiskey Party â Yle: Party celebrates by serving whiskey], TalouselĂ€mĂ€
- "Kolumni: EipÀ taida olla viskiveikoista oikeiksi liberaaleiksi" [Column: Whiskey folk is unlikely to be real liberals], Aamulehti
- "Viskipuolue hyvÀksyttiin puoluerekisteriin" [Whiskey Party registered], Satakunnan Kansa
- "Korkataanko huomenna puolueelle uusi nimi? â Viskipuolue voi muuttua Liberaaleiksi" [Will the party pop open a new name tomorrow? â Whiskey Party might turn into Liberals], Helsingin Uutiset
- "Fundan en Finlandia el "Partido Nacional del Whisky'" ["National Whiskey Party" founded in Finland], EFE
- "Le premier Parti du whisky voit le jour en Finlande" [The first Whiskey Party founded in Finland], Le Nouvelliste
- "Politiikan new kids on the block" [New kids on the block of politics], Voima
- "Viskipuolue muuttaa nimensĂ€ sittenkin â 'Sanaan liberaali ei voi saada yksinoikeutta'" [Whiskey Party changes its name afteral â "The word liberal is not exclusive"] Yle
External links
- Official website (in Finnish)
- Website in English
- Registration data at the Finnish patent and registration office
- Whiskey Party on YleX (in Finnish)
- Interview with vice chairman Tuomas Tiainen on Yle Radio Puhe (in Finnish)
- Interview with chairman Juhani KÀhÀrÀ on Radio Rapu on SoundCloud (in Finnish)
|
| |
| Abbreviation | Lib |
| Chairperson | Lassi Kivinen |
| Vice-chairman | Joni-Petteri Kivistö |
| Secretary | Aarne Leinonen |
| Founded | 2014 |
| Legalized | 16 March 2016 |
| Headquarters | Tapionkatu 19 A 17, 33500 Tampere |
| Youth wing | Liberaalinuoret |
| Women's wing | Liberaalinaiset |
| Ideology |
Classical liberalism Market liberalism |
| Colors | Orange |
| Slogan | Vapaus valita (Freedom to Choose) |
| Eduskunta | 0 / 200 |
| European Parliament | 0 / 14 |
| Municipalities | 0 / 8,859 |
| County seats | 0 / 1,379 |
| Website | |
|
liberaalipuolue | |
The Liberal Party â Freedom to Choose ( Finnish: Liberaalipuolue â Vapaus valita, Swedish: Liberalpartiet â Frihet att vĂ€lja), formerly known as the Whisky Party (Finnish: Kansallinen Viskipuolue, [1] Swedish: Whiskypartiet [2]), is a classical-liberal Finnish political party, founded in 2015 and admitted to the register of political parties in 2016. Lassi Kivinen was elected chairman in 2022. [3] The party was de-registered in 2023 after failing to win seats in two consecutive parliamentary elections. [4]
Platform
The party has a liberal view on alcohol policies, but claims a liberal platform overall. [5] Its platform is to promote individual freedom, entrepreneurship, and decision-making based on scientific research. It opposes the political power of interest groups. [6] It aims to decrease prohibitive restrictions, such as limitations on opening hours of restaurants and strict licensing of taxis. [7] Tax reductions are also on its agenda. [8]
History
The impetus for founding the Liberal Party was a 2014 event dubbed "Whiskeygate" by the media. A beer and spirits convention was banned from using the name Olut & Viski Expo (Beer & Whiskey Expo) by the authorities, because the name was interpreted as being advertising of spirits, which is prohibited by the law. The party was to be founded in protest to what was perceived as overbearing regulation. [9]
Whiskey Party was founded the next year, in 2015. Just before the 2015 parliamentary election, the then not registered party promoted itself by handing out free portions of Whiskey. [10] [11] The party also published a campaigning song, "Vastuullisesti" ("Responsibly"). [12]
After the election, the party continued the practice of publicly serving free whiskey to attract signatures for support cards in the cities of Helsinki, Tampere, and Oulu. [13]
By early February 2016, the party had secured the 5,000 signed support cards needed for registration. [6] On 11 February, it submitted its application to the Ministry of Justice, which maintains the political party register of Finland. [14] The party was officially registered on 18 March 2016. [15]
Soon after, the party had gained enough signatures for registration, it was announced that there will be an election about the official name of the party. [16] On 14 May 2016, the party adopted a new name: Liberaalipuolue ("Liberal Party"). [17] The Finnish patent and registration office, however, did not accept the change due to the existence of similarly named associations, such as: Suomen Liberaalinen Puolue ry (Liberal Party of Finland, registered association) and Liberaalit ry (Liberals, registered association). [18] [19]
On 17 June 2016, the party tried to adopt a new name again: The Liberal Party â Freedom to Choose. The name was accepted by the Finnish patent and registration office on 21 June, as the addition to the name was enough to separate it from other associations. [20]
The Liberal Party participated in the municipal elections in 2017 in major cities and allowed as candidates anybody regardless of political experience. [21] [22] The party won 4,117 votes and elected five councilors. None of its candidates were elected in the municipal elections of 2021.
Election results
Parliament of Finland
| Election | Votes | % | Seats | +/- | Government |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 5,014 | 0.16% | 0 / 200
|
New | Extra-parliamentary |
| 2023 | 14,993 | 0.48% | 0 / 200
|
0
|
Extra-parliamentary |
European Parliamentary elections
| Year | Elected | Votes | Share | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 0 | 3,015 | 0.2% | [23] |
Municipal elections
| Year | Elected | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 5 | 4,117 | 0.2% |
| 2021 | 0 | 947 | 0.0% |
References
- ^ "Kansallinen Viskipuolue merkitty puoluerekisteriin" [National Whiskey Party registered] (in Finnish). Ministry of Justice. 2016-03-18. Retrieved 2016-03-18.
- ^ "Whiskypartiet nÀra registrering" [Whiskey Party near registration]. Hufvudstadsbladet (in Swedish). 10 February 2016. Retrieved 5 June 2016.
- ^ "Liberaalipuolueen puoluekokous jÀrjestettiin HelsingissÀ" [The party congress of the Liberal Party was held in Helsinki] (Press release) (in Finnish). Liberaalipuolue. 22 May 2022.
- ^ "YhdeksÀn puoluetta poistettu puoluerekisteristÀ". Vaalit.fi (in Finnish). Ministry of Justice. 19 April 2023. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
- ^ PietilĂ€inen, Jari (18 March 2016). "Viskipuolue merkittiin puoluerekisteriin â Nimenmuutos heti edessĂ€" [Whiskey Party registered â About to change name immediately]. Helsingin Uutiset (in Finnish). Retrieved 5 June 2016.
- ^ a b Pape-Mustonen, Terhi (18 March 2016). "Kansallinen viskipuolue rekisteröitiin: ei aja kenenkÀÀn etua" [National Whiskey Party registered: will not promote the interest of any particular group]. Maaseudun Tulevaisuus (in Finnish). Retrieved 5 June 2016.
- ^ "Suomeen on syntymĂ€ssĂ€ uusi puolue â viskipuolueella koossa 5 000 kannattajakorttia" [Finland to have a new political party â Whiskey Party has 5, 000 support cards]. Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 2016-02-05. Retrieved 2016-02-09.
- ^ "Ilmaista viinaa jakanut puolue aikoo haastaa nykymenon â vaihtaa myös nimeĂ€" [Party that handed out free alcohol wants to challenge status quo â will also change its name]. Helsingin Uutiset (in Finnish). 18 March 2016. Retrieved 5 June 2016.
- ^ SetÀlÀ, Jasu (17 May 2016). "Liberaalien pitkÀ tie puoluerekisteriin" [Liberals' long way to be registered as a party]. Libero (in Finnish). Retrieved 5 June 2016.
- ^ PietilĂ€inen, Jari (7 January 2016). "Puoluerekisteriin himoitsee nyt moni poppoo â Viskipuolue pÀÀsee pian pelikentille" [Many groups desire to be registered â Whiskey Party to be out on the field soon]. LĂ€nsivĂ€ylĂ€. Retrieved 5 June 2016.
- ^ "Puolue jakoi ilmaista viinaa puistossa HelsingissÀ" [Political party hands out free alcohol at a park in Helsinki] (in Finnish). Ilta-Sanomat. 2016-02-05. Archived from the original on February 16, 2015. Retrieved 2015-02-12.
- ^ Latvala, Jussi (18 March 2016). "Kansallinen Viskipuolue puoluerekisteriin â 'Suomen tulevaisuus nĂ€yttÀÀ todella huolestuttavalta'" [National Whiskey Party registered â "The future of Finland is very concerning"] (in Finnish). YleX. Retrieved 5 June 2016.
- ^ "Viskipuolue tarjosi ilmaista viskiĂ€ Oulussa â poliisilla ei huomauttamista" [Whiskey Party served free whiskey in Oulu â the police have no complaints]. Kaleva (in Finnish). 21 November 2011. Retrieved 5 June 2016.
- ^ "Thursday's papers: Children's home abuse, Whiskey Party starting, less sex for Finns". Yle. 11 February 2016. Retrieved 5 June 2016.
- ^ Blencowe, Annette (18 March 2016). "Viskipuolue merkittiin puoluerekisteriin" [Whiskey Party was registed into the register of parties] (in Finnish). Yle. Retrieved 5 June 2016.
- ^ "Viskipuolue sai 5300 kannattajakorttia kokoon" [Whiskey Party gathers 5, 300 support cards]. Turun Sanomat (in Finnish). STT. 10 February 2016. Retrieved 5 June 2016.
- ^ Suvi Hautanen (2016-05-16). "Viskipuolue vaihtaa nimensÀ Liberaalipuolueeksi" [Whiskey Party changes its name to Liberal Party]. Verkkouutiset (in Finnish). Retrieved 2016-05-16.
- ^ "Viskipuolue jatkaakin viskipuolueena â epĂ€onnistunutta nimenmuutosta juhlistetaan viskillĂ€" [Whiskey Party to remain Whiskey Party after all publisher â failed renaming celebrated with whiskey] (in Finnish). Yle. 2016-05-19. Retrieved 2016-05-19.
- ^ "Viskipuolueen nimenvaihto meni puihin" [Name change of Whiskey Party on the rocks]. Kaleva (in Finnish). STT. 19 May 2016. Retrieved 5 June 2016.
- ^ "Viskipuolue muuttaa nimensĂ€ sittenkin â "Sanaan liberaali ei voi saada yksinoikeutta"" (in Finnish). Yle. 22 June 2016. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
- ^ "Viskipuolueen KÀhÀrÀ: 'SÀÀntely minimiin ja Alkon monopoli alas'" [KÀrhÀ of Whiskey Party: "Regulation to the minimum and down with the monopoly of Alko"]. Keskisuomalainen. 2016-04-02. Retrieved 2016-04-06.
- ^ "'Emme aja kenenkÀÀn etuja' â Suomessa on nyt yksi puolue lisÀÀ" ["We do not promote anybody's interests" â Finland now has one more political party]. Demokraatti (in Finnish). 18 March 2016. Retrieved 5 June 2016.
- ^ "European Elections 2019: Results: Whole country". Ministry of Justice. Retrieved 7 December 2019.
Further reading
- "Viskipuolueen nimen vaihtaminen liberaalipuolueeksi ei onnistu" [Whiskey Party's change of name to Liberal Party not possible], Verkkouutiset
- "Kommentti: Liberaalipuolue törmÀsi heti sÀÀntelyyn" [Comment: Liberal Party immediately ran into regulation], Libero
- "Rekisteriin hyvÀksytty Viskipuolue vaihtaa nimeÀ ja tÀhtÀÀ kunnallisvaaleihin" [Registered Whiskey Party changes name and aims for the municipal election], Helsingin Sanomat
- "Viskipuolue: Nyt testataan sÀÀntö-Suomi â 'Haluavatko suomalaiset tĂ€tĂ€?'" [Whiskey Party: Rule-ridden Finland tested â "Is this what Finns want?"], Uusi Suomi
- "Viranomainen torppasi puolueen suuren suunnitelman â Yle: Juhlii tapausta tarjoilemalla viskiĂ€" [Officials deny the grand plan of Whiskey Party â Yle: Party celebrates by serving whiskey], TalouselĂ€mĂ€
- "Kolumni: EipÀ taida olla viskiveikoista oikeiksi liberaaleiksi" [Column: Whiskey folk is unlikely to be real liberals], Aamulehti
- "Viskipuolue hyvÀksyttiin puoluerekisteriin" [Whiskey Party registered], Satakunnan Kansa
- "Korkataanko huomenna puolueelle uusi nimi? â Viskipuolue voi muuttua Liberaaleiksi" [Will the party pop open a new name tomorrow? â Whiskey Party might turn into Liberals], Helsingin Uutiset
- "Fundan en Finlandia el "Partido Nacional del Whisky'" ["National Whiskey Party" founded in Finland], EFE
- "Le premier Parti du whisky voit le jour en Finlande" [The first Whiskey Party founded in Finland], Le Nouvelliste
- "Politiikan new kids on the block" [New kids on the block of politics], Voima
- "Viskipuolue muuttaa nimensĂ€ sittenkin â 'Sanaan liberaali ei voi saada yksinoikeutta'" [Whiskey Party changes its name afteral â "The word liberal is not exclusive"] Yle
External links
- Official website (in Finnish)
- Website in English
- Registration data at the Finnish patent and registration office
- Whiskey Party on YleX (in Finnish)
- Interview with vice chairman Tuomas Tiainen on Yle Radio Puhe (in Finnish)
- Interview with chairman Juhani KÀhÀrÀ on Radio Rapu on SoundCloud (in Finnish)