Finnish far-right leader accused of making racist remarks

[ad_1]

Finnish ministers on Tuesday condemned racist comments online linked to the leader of Finland’s coalition government partner party, two weeks after another party minister resigned over pro-Nazi remarks.

Finance Minister Riikka Purra, who became Finland’s far-right party leader in 2021, is accused of writing the inflammatory comments – including various anti-immigrant, anti-Islamic and racial slurs, as well as threats violence – – In 2008.

“Such writings are unacceptable from anyone, regardless of political affiliation,” Anders Adlercreutz, European Affairs Minister for the Swedish People’s Party, wrote on Twitter.

Purra neither confirmed nor denied writing the comments.

But in a blog post on Monday, she said “it wouldn’t cross my mind to start denouncing or apologizing for what I did and said years and decades ago.”

Advertising – Scroll to continue

She added on Twitter that “before I felt very frustrated and hopeless with some aspects of immigration to Finland.”

“So you might say or write angrily and stupidly,” she said.

The controversial comments were posted under the username “riikka” on a blog owned by his predecessor Jussi Halla-aho, whose controversial writings got him convicted of inciting ethnic hatred.

Advertising – Scroll to continue

On Monday, social media users also noted similarities between the ‘riikka’ blog author’s and Riikka Purra’s personal lives, including concurrent visits to Barcelona, ​​similar educational backgrounds and proclaiming to be a vegetarian.

President Sauli Niinisto said on Tuesday that “it would be wise for the Finnish government to adopt a clear position of zero tolerance towards racism”.

In June, another Finnish party minister, Vilhelm Junnila, was forced to resign due to various pro-Nazi remarks.

Advertising – Scroll to continue

Junnila had joked during this year’s parliamentary election that candidate number 88 was referring to “Heil Hitler” because “H” is the eighth letter of the alphabet.

ehu/jll/rox

[ad_2]