Teller Report

Prime Minister after government scandal: Zero tolerance for racism

7/12/2023, 4:18:23 PM

Highlights: Riikka Purra's 15-year-old racist blog posts online have been publicly addressed. President Sauli Niinistö has taken a stand in the commotion and proposed that the Government should mark zero tolerance for racism. Media researcher Tiina Räisä says it is unusual for the President to intervene in the political situation in Finland. According to Räisa, it is likely that the discussions will continue even after the summer break. The new Finnish government's first month in power has been fraught with crises – and the president has stepped in.

Finland's Minister of Economic Affairs has already resigned and now there is a storm surrounding the Minister of Finance after old blog posts with racist content have been given new life. The new Finnish government's first month in power has been fraught with crises – and the president has stepped in and called for action. "This is an exceptional situation," says media researcher Tiina Räisä.


In recent days, Riikka Purra's 15-year-old racist blog posts online have been publicly addressed. President Sauli Niinistö has taken a stand in the commotion and proposed that the Government should mark zero tolerance for racism.

During Wednesday's press conference, Riikka Purra (SannF) stood by Prime Minister Petteri Orpos (National Coalition Party) and repeated her apologies. Petteri Orpo stressed that Purra has apologized and clarified the government's line.

"The Government has zero tolerance for all forms of racism and extremism, we do not accept any form of discrimination, and all this has been stated in the Government Programme," Orpo said.

Unusual situation

Media researcher Tiina Räisä thinks it is unusual for President Sauli Niinistö to intervene.

"The President's job is to take care of foreign policy issues," Räisa says.

According to Räisä, it is likely that the discussions will continue even after the summer.

"When it is time to start the work of the government, the government will probably continue to have to explain itself about the racist writings.

In the clip, media researcher Tiina Räisä talks about the political situation in Finland.