EU-skeptic, populist Finnish party who opposes Greek bailout enters Cabinet for the 1st time
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The populist, EU-skeptic Finns Party, known for its opposition to bailing out Greece and its political gaffes at home, has joined the Finnish government for the first time.
President Sauli Niinisto on Friday appointed the Nordic country's new center-right Cabinet, a three-party coalition made up of the Finns, the pro-EU Conservatives and the Center Party, whose leader Juha Sipila was named the new prime minister.
The Finns' maverick leader, Timo Soini, was named foreign minister and deputy prime minister, and the justice ministry went to the party's Jari Lindstrom, who has said the death penalty should be used in "some circumstances" in Finland.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Two other Finns members were handed responsibility for defense, social and health affairs.
The anti-immigration party was the second biggest in Finland's April election.