Parliament supports minister after far-right scandal
yle.fi
Three opposition parties called for the vote over the Finns Party minister's links to far-right groups and past statements.

Finland’s new economic affairs minister and member of the nationalist Finns Party, Vilhelm Junnila, survived a confidence vote in parliament on Wednesday.

MPs votes on the measure fell 95-86 with three abstentions and 15 absences.

The confidence vote was called by three opposition parties, the Left Alliance, Green and Social Democratic parties, due to Junnila’s previous controversial statements and links to far-right groups.

Seven Swedish People’s Party MPs voted against Junnila, with the other three abstaining. Three National Coalition MPs were absent for the vote, but the other government party MPs voted their confidence in the controversial politician.

Junnila has joked about his election number (88) referencing ‘Heil Hitler’, campaigned at an election under the “gas” slogan and spoken at at least one event organised by a far-right group.

The recently-appointed minister apologised last week for his comments and actions, following two days of media controversy about the matter.

MPs also voted on the government programme, with 106 voting to support it, 78 voting against, and one abstention. 15 legislators were away for that vote.

  • boredtortoise@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
    261·
    1 year ago

    Legally our ministers are required to be “known for their integrity and ability to serve” and be truthful. Those aren’t possible with ties to undemocratic organizations

    Also do note that the called confidence vote was larger than our leftists

    • Double_A@discuss.tchncs.deEnglish
      18·
      1 year ago

      undefined> Also do note that the called confidence vote was larger than our leftists

      Is the article not detailed enough, or are you telling me that Greens and Sodial Democrats are not generally on the left?

      • boredtortoise@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
        4·
        1 year ago

        The two you mentioned are in somewhat of a grey area. Mostly centrist policies when they get a chance to govern. Even dipping their toes to pure right-wing to limit nurse’s worker’s rights with their previous term.

        In any case it’s not quite approved to publicly state to be against capitalism at our government level but the Left Alliance is currently the only one with leftist suggestions.