17/03/2003 (Agence Europe) - Graham Watson, President of the Liberal Group at the European Parliament, congratulated Anneli Jäätteenmäki, leader of the Finnish Centre Party, on her victory at the general elections of 16 March (which could give her the chance to become Finland's first female Prime Minister). He wished her every success in "building a strong coalition". Mr Watson also congratulated MEP Astrid Thors, elected to the Finnish Parliament for the Swedish People's Party. Both the Centre Party and the Swedish People's Party are members of the European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party at the European Parliament. After Sunday's elections, the Centre will have 55 seats out of the 200 in Parliament (a gain of 7 seats). The Social Democrats under Prime Minister Lipponen will hold 53 seats (gaining 2 seats), but the coalition led by Paavolipponen loses 7 seats, obtaining 120 in total in the new parliament.