FINNISH Prime Minister Sanna Marin's centre-left party have been defeated in a close election race.
The National Coalition Party won the nail-biting contest with leader Petteri Orpo securing 20.8% of the vote ahead of the right-wing populist Finns Party and Marin's Social Democrats.
Marin - who continues to enjoy high poll ratings - increased her party's seats and secured 19.9% of the vote after being widely praised for steering Finland towards imminent entry into Nato and navigating the country through the pandemic.
Her vocal support of Ukraine in the last year has increased her international visibility.
"Congratulations to the winner of the elections, congratulations to the National Coalition Party, congratulations to the Finns Party. Democracy has spoken," Marin, 37, told supporters.
More than 2400 candidates from 22 parties were vying for the 200 seats in the Nordic country’s parliament, the Eduskunta.
"I think Finnish people want change. They want change and now I will start negotiations, open negotiations with all parties," Orpo said.
Marin became the world's youngest leader when she burst on to the political scene in 2019. She headed a coalition of five parties, all led by women.
