1917 Finnish parliamentary election

Parliamentary elections were held in the Grand Duchy of Finland on 1 and 2 October 1917. The general voter turnout was higher than in previous elections. The Social Democrats lost the absolute majority that they had had in the previous two elections (although they, like the other parties, had increased their number of votes in absolute terms). In other words, the "bourgeois" (non-socialist) parties taken together now had more than half the seats.

Republic of Finland
This article is part of a series on the
politics and government of
Finland

Background

The elections were the result of the constitutional crisis in Finland caused by the Russian revolution. As Russian Tsar Nicholas, head of state in Finland, had abdicated without a successor, the Finnish Parliament stated that it would become the highest power in internal matters. The Russian Provisional Government did not accept this, but ordered premature parliamentary elections, which was thought illegal by the Socialists.

Campaign

The Social Democrats demanded the quick implementation of eight-hour work day and the quick freeing of tenant farmers. The bourgeois parties, on average, wanted first to ensure that Finland would become fully independent, and only then to implement such social and economic reforms.[1][2]

Results
Party Votes % Seats +/–
Social Democratic Party of Finland444,67044.7992–11
Finnish Party–Young Finnish Party–People's Party[a]299,51630.1761+5
Agrarian League122,90012.3826+7
Swedish People's Party108,19010.90210
Christian Workers' Union15,4891.560–1
Others1,9970.200–
Total992,7621002000
Valid votes992,76299.51
Invalid/blank votes4,9030.49
Total votes cast997,665100
Registered voters/turnout1,441,07569.23
Source: Mackie & Rose[3]

a The Finnish Party won 32 seats, the Young Finnish Party 24 and the People's Party five.

Popular vote
SDP
 
 44.79%
SP-NSP-K
 
 30.17%
ML
 
 12.38%
RKP
 
 10.90%
KTL
 
 1.56%
Others
 
 0.20%
Parliament seats
SDP
 
 46.00%
SP
 
 16.00%
ML
 
 13.00%
NSP
 
 12.00%
RKP
 
 10.50%
K
 
 2.50%
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References
  1. Seppo Zetterberg et al (2003_ A Small Giant of the Finnish History WSOY
  2. Allan Tiitta and Seppo Zetterberg (1992) Finland Through the Ages Reader's Digest
  3. Thomas T Mackie & Richard Rose (1991) The International Almanac of Electoral History, Macmillan, p243 (vote figures)
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