Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Sari Essayah, Minister of Finance Riikka Purra, Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, and Minister of Education Anders Adlercreutz were available to the media at Smolna on the evening of Monday, 1 September 2025. Photo: Markku Ulander / Lehtikuva
- Next Article Orpo halts budget talks as racism row delays negotiations
Finland’s government postponed the opening of its budget negotiations on Monday after a political crisis erupted over comments made by a senior figure from the Finns Party.
The talks, originally planned to begin with economic briefings from the Bank of Finland and Ministry of Finance, were delayed as party leaders held an urgent internal meeting to address statements made by Teemu Keskisarja, a Finns Party MP and the party’s first vice chair.
Keskisarja described immigrants as “low-quality newcomers” and used phrases including “Third World pigsty” during a recent appearance on Yle’s A-studio. His remarks triggered widespread backlash and raised questions about the government’s stance on equality and anti-discrimination.
Prime Minister Petteri Orpo appeared alone before the press on Monday morning. He confirmed that the government would first hold discussions on what language and conduct were acceptable from members of ruling parties.
“This government does not accept speech that undermines human dignity,” Orpo said. “No governing party accepts it either.”
By 19:15, all four party leaders, Orpo (National Coalition), Riikka Purra (Finns Party), Anders Adlercreutz (Swedish People’s Party), and Sari Essayah (Christian Democrats), addressed the press in a joint briefing.
Orpo reiterated that the cabinet’s commitment to the government’s 2023 equality declaration remained firm.
“We have returned to the contents of that document again today,” he said. “This commitment applies not only to the government itself but also to every MP from the governing parties.”
He confirmed that violations of agreed standards would lead to consequences. If the person involved is a minister, the matter would be handled within the government, led by the prime minister. If it involves an MP, the issue would be addressed within the relevant parliamentary group.
Purra acknowledged the seriousness of the situation and apologised for the position the government found itself in.
“I’m sorry we are in a situation where the Finns Party’s commitment to the equality declaration is being questioned,” she said. “We do not seek confrontation, neither within the government nor in society.”
Asked if she still accepted Keskisarja’s language, Purra avoided giving a direct answer. She stated that Keskisarja aimed to highlight immigration-related problems, such as education levels and dependence on social benefits.
“This is a matter of word choice,” she said. “We speak about immigration and its problems, sometimes colourfully and forcefully, but we must not accept language that questions anyone’s human dignity.”
Adlercreutz said that the matter had become an embarrassment for the whole government.
“The discussion we’ve had today was necessary,” he said. “The commitment to the declaration has been justifiably questioned. It threatens the government’s ability to function.”
Essayah echoed the message, stating that every person’s dignity is indivisible and must be respected.
The delay had immediate procedural consequences. Bank of Finland Governor Olli Rehn, who traditionally opens budget talks with a review of the economic outlook, waited for several hours at the government’s official residence before leaving without delivering his report. His presentation was rescheduled for Tuesday.
Despite the disruption, Orpo stated that the talks had improved internal trust.
“Finland faces major challenges,” he said. “We need a functional government, and that requires the ability to discuss even the most difficult issues together.”
“Today’s discussions have strengthened our mutual resolve to move forward,” Orpo said.
This article was composed using live coverage and reporting from Ilta-Sanomat, Yle, and Helsingin Sanomat from the press briefing in Smolna, Helsinki.
HT
- Next Article Orpo halts budget talks as racism row delays negotiations
Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
