The Chairman of the Finnish Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee is forced to leave his post after criticized statements about the border with Russia.
Parliamentary veteran Kimmo Kiljunen (Social Democratic SDP) has been subject to severe criticism after a revelation about what he said at a meeting with a group of Russian parliamentarians.
In a video clip that has been circulated, Kiljunen said that the border with Russia should not be kept closed as it violates the human rights of Finnish Russians. He also described the government's plans to ban Russian property purchases as racist.
The Member of Parliament explained in a press release that the issue was close to his heart since his wife is Russian, but the criticism persisted and after a committee meeting on Friday, he announced his resignation.
