Liberal League (Finland) Explained

Lang1:Finnish
Name Lang1:Finnish: Vapaamielisten liitto
Lang2:Swedish
Name Lang2:Swedish: De Frisinnades Förbund
Abbreviation:VL
Split:National Progressive Party
Merged:Liberals
Ideology:Liberalism
Country:Finland

Liberal League (Finnish: Vapaamielisten liitto, VL; Swedish: De Frisinnades Förbund) was a Finnish liberal political party. VL existed from 1951 until 1965.

The party was founded in spring 1951 by the minority of National Progressive Party, led by Helsinki group, as the party finished its existence. Most of the former Progressive party members joined the People's Party of Finland.

VL included among others MP Rolf B. Berner, minister Teuvo Aura and the director of the Bank of Finland and once PM, Sakari Tuomioja. VL was heir to National Progressive Party seat in the Liberal International – People's Party was not accepted into the International as a result.

VL proposed Sakari Tuomioja as candidate for 1956 presidential elections. He was also supported by National Coalition Party. Tuomioja eventually lost the race to Urho Kekkonen, the Agrarian League candidate and a favourite of Moscow.

In 1965, the VL merged with the People's Party into Liberal People's Party, which was dounded December 29, 1965; the Eduskunta factions also merged.

Elections

Results
Parliamentary
YearMPsVotes
195104,936 0.27%
195406,810 0.34%
195806,242 0.32%
1962112,000 0.52%
Presidential
VuosiCandidate / ElectorsÄänet
1956Sakari Tuomioja / 332,6621.7%
196217,8980.4%