Among other things, the British The Guardian and the American magazine Politico reported on the uproar related to Riikka Purra, the chairperson of Basic Finns and the Minister of Finance.
The Treasury minister Riikka Purraa (ps.) combined old writings have ended up in news headlines in the international media.
American online magazine about politics Politico says on Tuesday that the deputy prime minister of Finland’s “new government” is being criticized in Finland for racist writings.
British newspaper The Guardian says in its titlethat “Finland’s far-right finance minister is accused of racist online comments”.
Euronews again titled his article today as follows: “Racism and violence: The Finnish government is plagued by a new scandal on the eve of Biden’s visit”.
Politico and The Guardian have translated several old blog posts, mostly written by the pseudonym “riikka” in 2008.
Purra commented on the matter on his blog on Monday, and he does not intend to resign or regret what he has done and said, the newspapers say.
The Minister of Economic Affairs was also widely quoted by the international press Vilhelm Junnilan resignation due to outrageous Nazi speeches. At that time, for example, a Swede Dagens Nyheter headlined that “the minister who made fun of the Nazis is leaving”.
Niinistö also commented at the NATO summit
Also the president Sauli Niinistö commented on the issue on Tuesday when he arrived at the NATO summit in Vilnius. According to Niinistö, it could be wise for the Finnish government to take a clear zero-tolerance stance on racism. According to him, it would also be a good signal to the world.
Niinistö was asked how the fact that Finance Minister Riikka Purra has not resigned from her previous racist writings affects the values that Finland promotes in the world.