STATEMENT
Just like in the last four parliamentary elections, narratives such as migrant crime spread by the far-right anti-immigration Finns Party (PS) paid off handsomely. It is not, however, the only reason why the PS was able to win a record 46 seats but was helped by the National Coalition Party, which won the election with 48 seats.
Despite the good result of the Eurosceptic party, the Social Democratic Party, which came in third place with 43 seats, Green League, Left Alliance and Swedish People’s Party announced they would not form a new government with the PS.
The election was a disappointment to underrepresented cultural, racial, ethnic, and religious groups. Especially parties like the PS, threatened to weaken the civil rights of minorities with a heavy hand.
PS head Riikka Purra made clear her worrying immigration stance on numerous occasions:
- The PS will not form part of a government that does not tighten immigration policy further.
- Stop people from outside the EU from moving and working in Finland.
- Islam and white Finland are incompatible.
- Seeking asylum is not a human right but a privilege.
- Cultural programs are a luxury.
- Nearly everything that does not work in society is due to poor immigration policy.
- Long-term plan to exclude foreigners from getting social welfare.
- Leave the European Union in the long term.
- Harden criminal sentences, especially when migrants or minorities are involved.
It is important to note that many of these radical proposals breach human rights and Finnish law and can lead to further discrimination and inequality against minorities. Defending diversity and social equality in society are important to every member of society and political parties should work to uphold such rights.
In the face of these radical proposals by the Finns Party, it should not come to a surprise that some newspapers abroad like The Guardian, Le Monde, El País and other call, among other names, the PS a far-right party.
We believe in the media’s watchdog role to protect the rights of all people in Finland irrespective of their background. Unfortunately, watching the news and what is discussed on it after the election, reveals that civil and human rights are not high up on the priority list.
For further information contact:
Enrique Tessieri Yahya Rouissi
Media Monitoring Group of Finland
+358 40 8400773
www.reilumedia.fi
*Media Monitoring Group of Finland aims to promote fair and accurate reporting by the Finnish media of underrepresented cultural, racial, ethnic, and religious groups. As Finland’s cultural diversity continues to grow, the role of the media in forming public opinion and attitudes about minorities becomes even more relevant.
Read our first report published on 17 March here.