After the disastrous showing of the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* in Sunday’s regional election, the far-right party aims to win next year’s parliamentary election and have its chairperson, Riikka Purra, as prime minister.
Good luck with that, especially after the big election setback.
Even if the regional election will turn out to be a watershed for the PS, why would Finland want to have a prime minister from a party that openly promotes and spreads racism?
In one of the debates, Purra went as far as to say that Finland should exclude foreigners from getting social welfare. While most people know this would be unconstitutional, none of the media reported the comment by Purra.
The regional election result must have sent shivers up the PS’ spine. Near-fool proof campaign Islamohpbic and xenophobic themes did not help the party.
It’s clear that petrol prices and migration have little to do with the management of the health care sector and emergency services, and many are wondering why the PS pushed such campaign themes in the first place.
Was it an outcome of wishful thinking and laziness?
Another fact that the regional elections exposed was that the PS, like some junkie, believed that loud mouthing and attacking vulnerable migrants is enough to attract voters. They were wrong.
The PS campaigns in the last elections have become more radical and racist. So much so that they have lost touch with political reality.
On my part, I hope that the PS and Purra continue with their racist rhetoric, so everyone will see who they are: an empty party with no substance, never mind solutions.