Finnish lawmakers vote in support of Foreign Minister amid abortion controversy

Finnish Foreign Minister Timo Soini survived a no-confidence vote in parliament on Friday over his attendance at an anti-abortion vigil while on an official trip to Canada.

One hundred lawmakers voted in support of Soini, while 60 voted to oust him. The motion was brought by four opposition parties.

Most members of the three parties in the government supported Soini as toppling him would have brought down the coalition.

Finland has been a pioneer in gender equality. Its law allows abortion and the government is committed to promoting women's rights in its foreign and security policy.