The Finnish Government's Commitment to Eradicating Racism

The Finnish Government's Commitment to Eradicating Racism: A Response to Riikka Purra's Apology Riikka Purra, Finland's far-right finance minister and deputy prime minister, has recently apologised for a string of racist comments she made fifteen years ago. In light of this, the Finnish government has taken a clear stance of zero tolerance for racism, with Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and other coalition party leaders co-signing a statement assuring Finns that the cabinet is committed to equality and non-discrimination. The Finns Party, where Ms Purra is the leader, narrowly won second place in April's general election and secured high-profile cabinet posts in the new government. However, the recent revelations surrounding Ms Purra's past have caused controversy, especially as the government is only three weeks old and Prime Minister Orpo is due to welcome US President Joe Biden to Helsinki on Thursday.

President Sauli Niinisto, who was attending the NATO Summit in Lithuania, suggested it would be wise for the new government to take a stance of zero tolerance of racism, which was soon forthcoming. Ms Purra herself has now accepted that the comments she made were 'stupid' and apologised for the harm and resentment they caused. It is not the only scandal to have hit the new government, however. At the end of June, economy minister Vilhelm Junnila was forced to resign for making references to Adolf Hitler at a far-right event in 2019 and for references to abortions in Africa. Last week, interior minister Mari Rantanen also had to deny conspiracy theories alleging Finns were being replaced by other races. 

The Finnish government is committed to promoting equality and non-discrimination, and Prime Minister Orpo has made clear that there will be zero tolerance for racism. This is a stance that must be held to, and any further instances of racism and discrimination must not be tolerated. It is clear that the government must take swift action to ensure that racism and discrimination are not allowed to seep into Finnish politics. Through the commitment of the cabinet and the Prime Minister, the Finnish government is showing that it is taking a firm stance against racism and discrimination.