Campaign Against Racism After "Unfortunate Statements"

After revelations about racism and right-wing extremist ties, the Finnish government is launching a campaign against racism in society. According to Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, the entire government stands united on this – but it is not entirely clear regarding the Finns Party.

» Updated: September 07 2024

» Published: August 27 2024

Campaign Against Racism After "Unfortunate Statements"
Photo: Jussi Nukari/Lehtikuva via AP/TT

The campaign goes under the slogan "Actions, not just words", reports Hufvudstadsbladet. It is launched against the background of revelations about racism among government colleagues in the far-right party The Finns.

Racism and discrimination erode trust in society at the edges, says Petteri Orpo (conservative National Coalition Party) at a press conference on Tuesday, according to HBL.

According to the Prime Minister, this work is anchored among ministers and the government parties' parliamentary groups.

However, The Finns' party secretary Harri Vuorenpää tells the Finnish social democratic newspaper Demokraatti that the party's decision-making body is still considering whether to participate and if so, how.

"It's pointless"

When Petteri Orpo formed the government last summer, The Finns' Vilhelm Junnila was Minister of Trade and Industry for eleven days before it was revealed that he had spoken at far-right events and repeatedly made provocative Nazi allusions.

The Finns' party leader Riikka Purra was later linked to racist texts written on online forums 15 years ago, which she apologized for.

These revelations led the government parties to jointly declare zero tolerance for racism, which was also the starting point for the work that has led to this campaign.

The Finns' group leader in parliament, Jani Mäkelä, tells HBL that the group has not committed to doing more than supporting zero tolerance and that he has not familiarized himself with what the campaign is about.

I think it has elements of so-called virtue signaling or posturing. You imagine that things are moving forward because you declare something. It's pointless, he says to the newspaper.

Worked on for a long time

In connection with the declaration of zero tolerance, Prime Minister Orpo was asked if he believes that all government parties live up to it.

There have been individual unfortunate statements. But despite that, I think it's quite clear that our government is committed to working against racism. And that's the main thing, he said to HBL then.

During the long process of shaping the campaign, a trade union has dropped out and described it as an attempt by the government to cover up problems. The opposition parties also accuse Orpo of trying to wash his hands of the issue.

Tags

TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

China Conducts Major Military Drills
1 MIN READ

China Conducts Major Military Drills Near Taiwan's Coast

Republicans Explore Path for Trump
3 MIN READ

Republicans Explore Path for Trump 2028 Third Term Bid

British Adventurer Becomes First Woman
1 MIN READ

British Adventurer Becomes First Woman to Solo Ski Across Baffin Island

Israeli Strike in Beirut Leaves
1 MIN READ

Israeli Strike in Beirut Leaves Three Dead, Targets Hezbollah Member

Trump Sees Parallels in Le
1 MIN READ

Trump Sees Parallels in Le Pen Verdict and His Legal Challenges

Harrods Launches Fund to Compensate
1 MIN READ

Harrods Launches Fund to Compensate Victims of al-Fayed's Abuse

Bosnian Serb Leader Dodik Confirms
1 MIN READ

Bosnian Serb Leader Dodik Confirms Arrival in Moscow

EU Expresses Willingness to Work
1 MIN READ

EU Expresses Willingness to Work with Syria's New Government

US Reacts to Le Pen's
2 MIN READ

US Reacts to Le Pen's Election Ban and Fraud Verdict

Putin Orders 160,000 New Conscripts
1 MIN READ

Putin Orders 160,000 New Conscripts for Russian Military Expansion

Zelensky Calls for European Unity
2 MIN READ

Zelensky Calls for European Unity at Butja Massacre Memorial

Japan's Mega-Quake Risk: New Estimate
1 MIN READ

Japan's Mega-Quake Risk: New Estimate Predicts 298,000 Lives at Stake

US Sanctions Hong Kong Police
1 MIN READ

US Sanctions Hong Kong Police Chief Over Rights Restrictions

Verdict Against Le Pen Casts
2 MIN READ

Verdict Against Le Pen Casts Doubt on Presidential Ambitions

UAE Court Sentences Three Uzbeks
1 MIN READ

UAE Court Sentences Three Uzbeks to Death for Rabbi's Murder

Central Asian Nations Resolve Fergana
1 MIN READ

Central Asian Nations Resolve Fergana Valley Dispute

1,001 Killed in Gaza After
1 MIN READ

1,001 Killed in Gaza After Ceasefire Ends, Health Officials Report

Putin Open to Talks with
1 MIN READ

Putin Open to Talks with Trump Despite Recent Tensions

Democrats Seek New Leadership as
6 MIN READ

Democrats Seek New Leadership as Trump Dominates US Politics

Genre image
1 MIN READ

Explosion in Spanish Coal Mine Claims Five Lives

Hamas Urges Global Resistance to
1 MIN READ

Hamas Urges Global Resistance to Trump's Controversial Gaza Plan

Families Hold Vigil at Bangkok
2 MIN READ

Families Hold Vigil at Bangkok Skyscraper Collapse Site

Swedish Man Extradited to Norway
1 MIN READ

Swedish Man Extradited to Norway in Major Drug Trafficking Case

Netanyahu Accuses Judiciary of Holding
2 MIN READ

Netanyahu Accuses Judiciary of Holding Bribery Suspects Hostage

Marine Le Pen Barred from
3 MIN READ

Marine Le Pen Barred from 2027 Election After Embezzlement Verdict

Zelensky Prepares for Possible Ukrainian
1 MIN READ

Zelensky Prepares for Possible Ukrainian Election This Summer

Three Missing US Soldiers in
1 MIN READ

Three Missing US Soldiers in Lithuania Found Dead

Russia Accuses Ukraine of Power
2 MIN READ

Russia Accuses Ukraine of Power Line Attacks Amid Drone Strikes

Israel Urges Palestinians in Southern
1 MIN READ

Israel Urges Palestinians in Southern Gaza to Relocate to al-Mawasi

Iran Vows Powerful Response if
1 MIN READ

Iran Vows Powerful Response if US Launches Attack

Three Found Dead in Southern
1 MIN READ

Three Found Dead in Southern Norway; Police Investigate Link

Netanyahu Appoints New Security Chief
1 MIN READ

Netanyahu Appoints New Security Chief Despite Court Block and Protests

Myanmar Earthquake Claims Over 2,000
2 MIN READ

Myanmar Earthquake Claims Over 2,000 Lives, Thousands Injured

Le Pen's Presidential Hopes in
3 MIN READ

Le Pen's Presidential Hopes in Jeopardy as Fraud Verdict Looms

Trump Accuses Zelenskyj of Backing
1 MIN READ

Trump Accuses Zelenskyj of Backing Out of US Mineral Deal

Zelensky Thanks Stubb for Finland's
2 MIN READ

Zelensky Thanks Stubb for Finland's Support After Trump Golf Diplomacy

Ice Storm Leaves 500,000 Without
1 MIN READ

Ice Storm Leaves 500,000 Without Power Across US and Canada

Islamic Extremists Suspected in Deadly
1 MIN READ

Islamic Extremists Suspected in Deadly Attack on Burkina Faso Soldiers

Trump Hints at Third Term
1 MIN READ

Trump Hints at Third Term Despite Constitutional Limits

Erna Solberg Witnesses Ukraine's War
1 MIN READ

Erna Solberg Witnesses Ukraine's War Devastation on Frontline Journey