Teemu Keskisarja, elected as the first deputy chair, celebrates at the Finns Party congress in Lahti on 14 June 2025. Photo: Vesa Moilanen / Lehtikuva
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The Finns Party elected Teemu Keskisarja as its first deputy chair on Saturday, defeating Interior Minister Mari Rantanen by 494 votes to 421 at the party congress in Lahti. His surprise victory signalled discontent within party ranks toward current leadership and coalition compromises.
In his campaign speech, Keskisarja rejected conciliatory politics, warning that “praising the government’s goodness does not help when the party is fighting for life or death.” He accused the party of capitulating to media narratives and called for an end to what he labelled as “groveling”.
Referring directly to the government’s recent anti-racism efforts, Keskisarja dismissed the policy framework and related training sessions for ministers as “nonsense”. He described the administration’s anti-racism communication as part of a cultural conflict and said such symbolic moves mattered significantly.
“We are in a cultural war and must show no mercy,” he told supporters, adding that actions like apologies, diversity training, and participation in nationalistic parades only weakened the party’s standing.
Keskisarja criticised Finnish support for joint EU debt and warned that failure to oppose it in upcoming negotiations would risk the party’s credibility. He accepted certain defence-related EU funding mechanisms, stating that security needs overruled broader budgetary objections.
Earlier, the congress re-elected Riikka Purra as party leader for a further two-year term. Purra secured 730 votes against 126 for challenger Arto Luukkanen. In her opening remarks, Purra emphasised national identity and warned that Finnish culture faced threats from immigration and international policy trends.
According to Purra, Finnishness has been eroded by decades of political decisions, especially related to immigration. She argued that parts of Finland had become unrecognisable due to demographic changes, and that the Finnish language had become less visible in urban spaces.
“Finland is not the world’s social service centre, hospital, or school,” she said, urging a “massive awakening” on immigration policy.
She defended her record in government, pointing to recent immigration restrictions pushed by the party. Yet she acknowledged that further efforts were required, promising more vocal advocacy within the coalition.
The party elected Harri Vuorenpää to continue as party secretary. Vuorenpää accepted responsibility for the party’s recent electoral setbacks but pledged a renewed focus on grassroots engagement and policy clarity ahead of the 2027 parliamentary election.
Joakim Vigelius was elected second deputy chair with 636 votes. Like Keskisarja, Vigelius sharply criticised the government’s anti-racism programme. “It’s a joke to provide racism training for adults and ministers. I doubt anyone’s views changed,” he said.
Vigelius said the party should push harder for tighter immigration rules and cuts to foreign aid. He also predicted growing friction with other governing parties as the 2027 election approaches.
“We are going to the elections as our own party, not bound by what others find uncomfortable,” he said.
The congress continues through Sunday, concluding with Purra’s keynote address.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
