In the general elections of May 1960 Finant was elected both as a deputy in both the Orientale Provincial Assembly and the national Chamber of Deputies. Though he won the latter seat with 20,854 preferential votes, he was persuaded by MNC leader Patrice Lumumba to forgo it in favor of the provincial position. He was subsequently elected President of Orientale Province on 11 June with 69 votes of the provincial assembly (out of 72 possible votes). After independence the Force Publique mutinied and the country plunged into disorder. During the crisis he became increasingly loyal to the MNC and Lumumba, who was serving as Prime Minister. His fidelity to Lumumba remained strong even after the latter was removed from power.