Perussuomalaiset (PS)*Minister of Economic Affairs VIlhelm Junnila was in office for just 11 days, making him one of the shortest-serving ministers in Finnish history. Junnila’s downfall is attributable to himselfand his long trail of neo-Nazi sympathies and “jokes.”
The fact that the National Coalition Party (Kokoomus) went to bed with a radical-right party like the PS shows poor judgment. It also reveals Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s lack of leadership and his blind spot to the far right.
Even if opposition politics and activists may contribute to the eventual downfall of Orpo’s government in the months ahead, its biggest headache is itself as Junnila demonstrated.
Before the April general election, she wrote: “We mustn’t be so naive [naive in Finnish means being ‘blue-eyed’] that soon we won’t be blue-eyed.”
A nurse with police training and very xenophobic opinions, she continued to defend her claim on how Europe is changing ethnically before our eyes. Despite her claim, Rantanen has not shown us any statistical information backing her great replacement theory in Sweden, never mind Finland.
Rantanen tweets: 1/2 Regarding today’s news: I don’t believe in conspiracy theories (sic). The statistical pressure placed on Europe’s population and the resulting demographic change is a fact. The consequences of immigration must also be discussed in this context without stigmatization.
2/2 Many would like to see a strong acceleration of [migrants to the country]. In the run-up to the [April] election, there were serious proposals to admit 1.4 million immigrants to Finland. The PS took a firm line and received a strong mandate from the Finns. In politics, it must be possible to raise objections for or against.
What a show we saw in parliament Wednesday when radical-right Perussuomalaiset (PS)* Minister of Economic Affairs Vilhelm Junnila survived a no-confidence vote! The first visible cracks in National Coalition Party (Kokoomus) Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s government became evident.
One of the questions that some may be asking is why does Kokoomus want to do business with a party that it turned down in 2017. The PS had imploded into two factions after the party elected Jussi Halla-aho as its new leader.
“Halla-aho’s Perussuomalaiset… their base values are so drastically different from ours,” he said. “They go against our most sacred values, human dignity, human rights, the concept of humanity, openness, and internationalism.”
Helsingin Sanomat asked Orpo five years after why the party had now qualms about sharing power in government with the PS. “The current Perussuomalaiset party, as it has evolved under Halla-aho and [Riikka] Purra, is such that I see no reason why we cannot negotiate a government program [with them],” he was quoted as saying.
Orpo’s assurances do nothing more than fuel mistrust because they are based on lies like what he said about Junnila. “Of course we do not accept any type of extremism, Nazism, Stalinism, or other ideologies that are dangerous to society or people,” he said in Helsingin Sanomat. “This is quite obvious. Everyone in Finland must be able to live a good life in safety.”
I wonder what minorities, migrants and asylum seekers think about Orpo’s statement.
We have read about the numerous anti-Semitic, racist, neo-Nazi, and far-right comments that Perussuomalaiset (PS)* Minister of Economic Affairs Vilhelm Junnila has made throughout the years. He now regrets these hateful comments and claims that they were all done humorously.
UPDATE: Finland’s parliament gave a 95-86 vote of confidence to the government program and Minister Junnila.
Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s government wants to reassure us that there is no room for extremism in his coalition.
Do you believe him? Not.
Below is a good six-point guide on how to insult victims of the Holocaust, support neo-Nazis, the far-right, and racists, and end up as a minister.
Six-point guide on how to become a minister despite your controversial views: 1. Double-talk. 2. Deny everything. 2. Tell your enemies that you like humor or are a bad comedian. 3. Lie and act spineless (your fat monthly check will help you forget) 4. Tell your followers that you are serious. 5. Apologize with your fingers crossed. 6. Work with parties who think like you but are still in the closet about their extremist views.
Finland’s most right-wing government since the 1930s was hit by controversy on its first day Tuesday due to its links with neo-Nazis, the far-right, and unapologetic racist blog posts.
One of the epicenters of the scandal is Minister of Economic Affairs Vilhelm Junnila, whose neo-Nazi and white supremacist sympathies are readily seen through a trail of evidence.
Apart from taking part in a rally organized by far-right groups, Junnila congratulated in 2019 a Peerussuomalaiset (PS)* candidate for receiving the 88 election number. “First of all, congratulations on an excellent election number,” he was quoted as saying by The Times of Israel. “I know it’s a winning card.”
As everyone knows, 88 is code used by neo-Nazis to mean “Heil Hitler,” or “HH.”
It is odd why Junnila now apologizes for such inappropriate behavior by stating on Twitter that “I condemn holocaust, antisemitism and all anti-Semitic acts completely.”
Sorry, but Junnila’s about-face apology is BS served on a platter.
(From top left to right) Junnila visiting the United States and posing with Confederate General Robert E. Lee suggesting white supremacist sympathies. Wearing a Donald Trump MAGA (Make America Great Again) cap with former PS MP Veikko Vallin. Junnila giving a speech at a far-right rally in Turku in 2019.
The government fuels two matters: loss of credibility and polarization of society.
Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s government, considered the most right wing since the 1930s, faced a storm of controversy on its first day not because of its austerity program, which will hit the most vulnerable sectors of society, but because of its embarrassing links to neo-Nazis and racism.
Headlined Euronews: “Racism and rape fantasies: The PR headache facing Finland’s new right-wing government.” Madrid-based El País writes: “The far-right will control seven key ministries in the Finnish government.”
The Times of Israel doesn’t beat round the bush either: “[Minister of Economic Affairs] Vilhelm Junnila says previous [neo-Nazi] behavior was ‘foolish and immature’; another key figure in new government, House Speaker Jussi Halla-aho, also has history of racist remarks.”
Apart from taking part in a rally organized by far-right groups, Junnila congratulated in 2019 a PS candidate for receiving the 88 election number. “First of all, congratulations on an excellent election number,” he was quoted as saying in The Times of Israel. “I know it’s a winning card.”
As everyone knows, 88 is code used by neo-Nazis to mean “Heil Hitler,” or “HH.”
It is odd why Junnila now apologizes for such inappropriate behavior.
Minister Junnila, who claims to not house any extremist views, now apologizes for his “88” comment: “Those who know me, know that I am a moderate. I do not belong to any nationalist organisations [sic], nor do I plan joining any.”Source: Twitter
Junnila and former MP Veikko Vallin, givng the thumbs up with their MAGA caps. Source: Facebook
Finland’s new interior minister, Mari Rantanen of the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* party, wrote on her webpage before the April general election: “We mustn’t be so naive [naive in Finnish means being ‘blue-eyed’] that soon we won’t be blue-eyed.”
The posting can no longer be found on her webpage.
In a recent interview with Iltalehti, Rantanen, who is a nurse with police basic training, elaborated on her “blue-eye” comment.
Iltalehti: “What did you mean that soon we won’t have any blue-eyed people [in Finland]?
Rantanen:“I meant exactly what it says.”
Iltalehti:“In your opinion, are blue-eyed people better than others?”
Rantanen:“Just like I said, it states what I meant. The focus is not on racial policies, that is not the issue at hand.
At the heart of National Socialist racial doctrine is the maintenance of the traits of the ‘Aryan race’, such as superiority and maintenance of blond hair and blue eyes. Ethnic cleansing has been practiced in various parts of the world in the name of such a doctrine.
Among the most famous people responsible for committing genocide is Adolf Hitler’s who used it against Jews, the mentally handicapped, homosexuals, Slavs, and Roma.
Finland’s new Interior Minister Mari Rantanen’s sympathies for racism and fascism are evident in this cartoon published before the municipal election, where she throws in the trash can parties like the Social Democrats, Center Party, Left Alliance and in the recycling bin concepts like BLM, globalism, Antifa, feminism and communism.
Riikka Purra is the chairperson of the radical right Perussuomalaiset (PS)* party, which has made its political career by bullying minorities like Muslims. Since most of their xenophobic arguments are based on lies and smears, it should not surprise anyone that they’d break their election promises rapidly.
One of the biggest promises that the PS made during before the election was that they would not accept any austerity measures that would affect the most vulnerable sectors of society like the unemployed, single mothers and others.
The original campaign promise and how Purra eventually ate her words: “The difference between parties like the National Coalition Party and us is that they want to cut [social] support for lower-income people. This is unacceptable for us.”
If you look at the new government’s program, the biggest cuts will be made in health care (1.3 billion) and social security (1.2 billion) to the tune of 2.5 billion euros. It’s clear that such cuts are going to bite hard at those people who depend on social welfare to make it through the month.
How Purra flip-flops on her promise: “We are happy with the [government] program and the PS has decided to form part of this government. There were no dissenting voices. The decision was unanimous.”
Dmitry Gurbanov Tweeted that Purra’s U-turn is a Finnish record!
Suosittelen, että jokainen katsoo tämän videon ja jakaa sen eteenpäin vaikka omille persu tutuille. Tämä on takinkäännön SM-ennätys. Saat mitä tilaa? pic.twitter.com/xaZm8EN0nh
Riikka Purra flip-flops on her original promise that she would not accept to form part of a government that will cut social security befits of the most vulnerable sectors of society. Her promises are just as big lies as her xenophobic rhetoric. Source: Twitter
An immigration policy founded on racism and suspicion is bound to fail.
The tightening of the new government’s immigration policy, which has instilled fear among non-EU migrants, asylum seekers, and disappointment from the Confederation of Finnish Industries (EK) for hindering to facilitation foreign labor from outside the EU, is risky for a number of reasons.
If one reads the new government’s immigration policy, it’s clear that it was drafted by politicians who see migration from outside the EU as a threat. For non-EU migrants the message is clear: leave, we don’t want you here.
Just like former Prime Minister Juho Sipilä’s government (2015-2019), the new government plans to treat Finns and foreigners unequally concerning social welfare.
Section 6 of the constitution is crystal clear: “Everyone is equal before the law.”
Thus, if you want to lower social welfare benefits to non-FInns, you just lower them for Finns as well if you want it to be in line with the constitution.
Many of the proposals by the new government are in conflict with our constitution and international law, according to Helsingin Sanomat.
The new measures are intended primarily for those who voted for the radical right Perussuoalaiset (PS)* party and the National Coalition Party.
It is ironic that the government’s new immigration policy is published during one of the worst shipwreck disasters in the Mediterranean, where hundreds of people are believed to have drowned off the coast of Greece.
If you look at other countries like Canada, the US, Argentina and others that have a long history with migrants, they are not perfect and problematic, but there is one matter that unites them: pathways to inclusion, an opportunity to become a part of society, real or imagined. In Finland, there are still no such paths.
As a Tunisian who has spent the last three years in Finland, I often find myself reflecting on recent events that have influenced my life. The revolution in Tunisia is known for having been “from the people, [but] appropriated by the others.” This phrase resonates with me deeply, as I can relate to the highs and lows, the gap between expectations and reality, and the stark difference between what the media portrays and the actual situation.
One word that carries great power in this context is “the media,” and for good reason. The media has a significant impact on how people perceive their world and how they formulate their beliefs. It plays a crucial role in shaping public opinion and influencing societal attitudes. The media can either promote understanding, empathy, and inclusivity or perpetuate prejudice, discrimination, and exclusion.
When I think about the challenges faced by immigrants trying to integrate into a new community, the metaphor of a “foreign body” comes to mind. Just as an organism can reject an organ or implant, a society can be as hostile towards immigrants who want to fit in and participate as full members. Prejudice, discrimination, language barriers, and other obstacles contribute to social exclusion, segmented neighborhoods, and isolation, hindering the development of a cohesive and inclusive social fabric.
Overcoming these obstacles requires a society that fosters tolerance, empathy, and open-mindedness toward newcomers. Just as the immune system must be modified to accept “the foreign body,” the culture of a society needs to make it possible to embrace diversity and provide equal opportunities for all. Education plays a crucial role in this process by promoting cultural awareness, intercultural discourse, and improving language abilities.
But when the media is predominantly biased, it erects barriers against the “foreign body” and fails to give a voice to immigrants. The media’s portrayal of immigrants can shape public perceptions and influence societal attitudes. Negative or stereotypical portrayals perpetuate societal preconceptions and hatred, while the lack of diverse representation in the media hinders communication and feeds biases.
The Finnish media, in particular, has been a source of cultural shock for me. Much like the media back home, it often presents a negative and disturbing image, which can be subtly regarded as racist. This portrayal in the media reinforces stereotypes and perpetuates discrimination. For Finland to truly embrace diversity and inclusivity, the media must take on a more inclusive and impartial role. Journalists and media experts should make an effort to portray immigrants and their contributions to society in a nuanced and factual way, highlighting inspiring stories and a variety of experiences that accurately depict the realities of cultural diversity.
The Finnish media also has a responsibility to uphold ethical reporting standards and combat prejudice by discouraging hate speech. Fact-checking, diversifying information sources, and encouraging intercultural conversation are crucial steps toward fairer reporting. Failure to do so not only spreads prejudice and stereotypes but also poses a significant risk, as biased and deceptive media can become the perfect platform for opportunistic politicians to rise to power and manipulate public opinion.
In the face of the growth of extremist politicians and parties, it is essential to recognize the potential risks posed by a biased and even deceptive media. Such politicians target the disenchanted, the manipulated, and the frustrated electorate, using the media’s power to formulate public opinion to their advantage. They exploit the portrayal of immigrants as outcasts, even monsters, winning the support of individuals who feel marginalized by the current political climate. Furthermore, they understand the influence they can have on younger generations, who are already shaping society and are particularly susceptible to media influence.
I am often asked about my experience in Finland and whether I encountered any culture shock. In most cases, unless I am talking to people I trust and know well, I tend to give a half-truth response to avoid long and pointless debates where my thoughts might be disregarded due to my background and as a newcomer still learning and struggling with the language. I usually say, “I really enjoy it here, and Finland has my heart.” I mention the country’s robust social and political system, natural beauty, favorable weather, and cultural diversity. This answer helps me navigate discussions without getting caught up in unnecessary arguments.
However, if I were to speak truthfully, the cultural shock I experienced in Finland was primarily due to the Finnish media. As I mentioned earlier, in many ways, it was reminiscent of what I had experienced back home. Most of the time, the media presents a negative and disturbing image that could be subtly regarded as racist—an insidious form of racism. This is where my culture shock originated.
The Finnish media must adopt a more inclusive and impartial role, akin to the adaptive immunological response of the body. Journalists and other media experts can be linked to antibodies, who should make an effort to portray immigrants and their contributions to society in a nuanced and factual way. This entails highlighting inspiring stories, triumphs, and a diverse range of experiences that accurately depict the realities of cultural diversity.
The Finnish media also bears responsibility for spreading prejudice and stereotypes when ethical reporting standards are not upheld. To curb the dissemination of hate speech and advance a more accurate portrayal of immigrants, fact-checking, diversifying information sources, and encouraging intercultural conversation are crucial steps towards fairer reporting.
The new right-wing government of National Coalition Party (NCP) Prime Minister-designate, Petteri Orpo published its government program Saturday. With respect to migrant policy, it reinforces what many have feared: deep-rooted suspicion of migrants.
The new government, which is considered to be the most right-wing since the 1930s and the most anti-immigration in a long time, is made up of the NCP, radical-right Perussuomalaiset(PS)*, Swedish People’s Party, and Christian Democrats.
The tightening of immigration policy in the government program also reveals that, apart from keeping migrants on short leashes, such people are second-class members of society with fewer rights. Disenfranchisement and suspicion are good words to describe the new government’s policy.
By changing citizenship requirements from five to eight years is a prime example of disenfranchisement. If you cannot vote, for example, your oppressors can keep you marginalized.
Other draconian changes include making asylum temporary. It also has the same message: we don’t want you, we don’t like you – Finland will never become your new home.
In order to get a permanent residence, you need to live six years in the country. If you make, however, 40,000 euros a year, you can get a permanent residence in four years. But be careful! If you become unemployed, you will have to leave the country if you cannot find new employment in three months.
Under the threat of a fine, employers must inform the Finnish Immigration Service about the unemployed employee.
The further disenfranchisement of migrants will lead to greater abuse by employers and the Finnish system in general.
Also, when applying for a permanent residence, you will be given a Finnish- or Swedish-language test to prove that you have basic language skills.
The government program also shows that migrants are an economic commodity.
