If there is a big divide and mistrust between the media and the Muslim community it was exposed by a scoop the tabloid ilta-Sanomat on a secret “mosque” in a Helsinki nursery. Throughout the years, some Muslim imams and other members of the community have expressed apprehension of the Finnish media. For those who may…
Search Results for: Mari Rantanen
Finland is backpedaling to the dark corners of nationalism and xenophobia
The impact of National Coalition Party (NCP) Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s government (Perussuomalaiset PS*, Swedish People’s Party and Christian Democrats) on Finland will be devastating. It will be a regression into the darkest corners of nationalism, xenophobia, chest-thumping, and bravado. With the help of these social ills, there are plans to displace Finland’s liberal roots…
The Finnish government’s migration and economic policy lack credibility and are bound to cause more harm than good
It is concerning for migrants and minorities in Finland that we have a government that is openly hostile to them. As in Juha Sipilä’s (2015-2019) government, there was an agreement that migration policy would be handled by the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* party in exchange for the National Coalition Party (NCP) and Center Partry dictating economic policy….
Government remains silent on the threat of far-right terrorism in Finland
How is it possible that we do not hear a word from the government about three suspects tried on terrorism charges in Lahti. Helsingin Sanomat published an editorial Tuesday about the threat of far-right violence in Finland. Writes Helsingin Sanomat: “However, the case is a fresh reminder that the extreme right is a real threat…
Länsi-Savo: Racism is a serious social ill
An article in Mikkeli-based daily Länsi-Savo (10 August) interviewed three members of the Finns Party (PS) from the South Savo region who claimed that racism has no place in the party. If this is true, it is significant and welcome news. In the face of the numerous racism scandals that have overshadowed the activities of…
Länsi-Savo: Rasismi on vakava yhteiskunnallinen sairaus
Länsi-Savon artikkelissa (LS 10.8.) haastateltiin kolmea eteläsavolaista perussuomalaisten jäsentä, jotka väittivät, ettei rasismilla ole sijaa perussuomalaisissa. Jos tämä pitää paikkansa, se on merkittävä ja tervetullut uutinen. Kun tarkastellaan rasismiskandaaleja, jotka ovat varjostaneet perussuomalaisten toimintaa vuosien varrella ja viimeistään heinäkuussa, on tämä väite erikoinen. Uskomme, että rasismi on ollut historiallisesti yhtä tärkeä asia perussuomalaisille kuin ruotsin kieli…
Finland’s refugee policy returns to the Cold War
I was surprised again to read a story in Yle about Russian army deserters crossing the Finnish border “without permission.” Without permission?! Understanding that the Russian deserters had crossed the border to ask for asylum in Finland, can we state that there is something “illegal” about this? A ridiculous claim by a Finnish tabloid. How…
Petteri Orpo’s government of Finland loathes migrants: Is it an overestimation or underestimation?
By now, after numerous scandals, Prime Minister Petteri Opro may be thinking that getting into bed with the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* was a huge mistake that will have far-reaching consequences for the National Coalition Party (Kokoomus) and even end up costing him his job. If Orpo and PS Finance Minister Riikka Purra had a crystal ball…
Finland’s Prime Minister Orpo’s Pyrrhic victory
The only matter that Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s embattled government will gain if it does not go under after its chaotic start on 20 June, is a Pyrrhic victory. In today’s press conference with journalists, Orpo defended Finance Minister Riikka Purra’s apology for her violent and racist comments made in 2008 when she was a…
Prime Minister Orpo’s govt is a sinking ship
In Finland, you can publish racist blogs, ask MPs to be raped, shoot gays, downplayed the Holocaust and end up as speaker of parliament, like Jussi Halla-aho. It’s amazing, if not magical, how quickly far-right politicians of the Perussumalaiset (PS)* party can whitewash and deny their far-right and neo-Nazi sympathies. I am not talking about…