Now it's Finland's turn to haver

As Reuters reports, it will be hard "for the National Coalition party, which won the most votes on Sunday, to form a coalition with the True Finns and the opposition Social Democrats, who finished second", especially as Timo Soini (a name we had all better get used to), leader of the True Finns, is happily insisting that the Portuguese bail-out will have to be abandoned.

Negotiations are likely to be lengthy, too lengthy for the Finance Ministers who meet on May 16 to put the finishing touches on that bail-out and it will be the outgoing government that will be represented. However, Finland is in a unique position: its parliament will have to vote on the agreed deal.

Analysts say Katainen's [National Coalition leader and likely next Prime Minister] solution will likely be a mix of compromises and face-saving measures, such as offering cosmetic concessions on European finance and handing some key cabinet jobs to the True Finns in exchange for letting the Portugal vote pass in parliament.

Some say the new government is likely to take a slightly tougher stance against Brussels to heed voter discontent.

The True Finns' tough line against bailouts has resonated among many voters who feel their famously high taxes are helping to bail out irresponsible governments, while they struggle with high unemployment.

Let us not forget that Finland is the small country that could and did resist Stalin's mighty Soviet Union.