liitostarpeisiin

Liitostarpeisiin is a Finnish noun phrase that denotes the needs or prerequisites for forming a coalition, particularly in parliamentary politics. The base is liitostarve, formed from liitto (alliance, coalition) and tarve (need). Liitostarpeisiin is the illative plural form, often understood as “to coalition needs” or simply “coalition needs” in English; in use it refers to the set of conditions that influence whether and how parties can join forces.

In political analysis and journalism, liitostarpeisiin describes the practical considerations guiding coalition bargaining. This includes policy program proximity, ideological compatibility, seat distribution and veto threats, timing and election results, public opinion, reputational costs, and potential cabinet arrangements or portfolios. The concept emphasizes that coalition formation is not only about shared goals but also about managing compromises and risks.

The term is descriptive rather than a formal theory. It appears in discussions of multi-party systems, especially in countries with proportional representation, where several parties must negotiate to achieve a governing majority. Related concepts in Finnish political discourse include koalitio (coalition), neuvottelutilanne (negotiation situation), and hallitusohjelman muodostaminen (formation of the governing program).

See also: Koalitio, Hallitus, Neuvottelutilanne, Hallitusohjelma.