In a lengthy article on the Perussuomalaiset (PS),* Helsingin Sanomat reporter tells us we should not consider the PS a far-right party. The article offers a lot of sources to look at the question but the writer, Markko Jukkari, trips and falls on his face when he starts to editorialize the story.
He writes:
The Perussuomalaiset is not a revolutionary far-right party. It is the second largest party in Finland, with 620,981 people voting for it in a free and democratic election. It has also demonstrated a commitment to advancing its agenda through parliamentary means. Therefore, one should not call the party far-right.
Source: Helsingin Sanomat
Who says that the PS is a revolutionary far-right party?
If we look at what adjectives were used by some foreign media about the PS, “far-right,” “populist,” “Eurosceptic,” “nationalist” come to mind.
The Guardian of London calls the PS a far-right, anti-immigration party.
Junkkari’s story about the PS is a disappointing example of how the country’s leading daily plays down and normalizes the far-right or radial-right views of a party that admires Hungary’s Viktor Orbán and Donald Trump.
Pretty shameful and toothless journalism from a daily that should know better.
