Presidential candidate Urpilainen advocates for moderation in dual citizenship debate amid security concerns
SDP’s presidential candidate Jutta Urpilainen. LEHTIKUVA
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SDP’s presidential candidate Jutta Urpilainen has voiced concern over the increasingly populist tones in the ongoing Finnish presidential election debate regarding dual citizenship, particularly among Finnish Russians. The discussion has reached a point where some candidates are suggesting the retrospective removal of dual citizenship, potentially stripping tens of thousands of Finnish residents—who have been educated, employed, and integrated into Finnish society—of their Finnish citizenship.
Urpilainen stressed that while security threats must not be underestimated, it is impractical and unfair to collectively penalize Finnish Russians. She pointed out that these individuals have chosen to live in Finland for its democratic values and freedoms. The candidate also noted that spreading Kremlin propaganda is not exclusive to Russians, as it has also been observed among ethnic Finns.
The current Finnish law stipulates that citizenship can be revoked for severe crimes, such as treason. However, Urpilainen highlighted the complexities and potential injustices of retrospectively removing dual citizenship, emphasizing that such a move wouldn’t eliminate the security threats posed by a significant Russian minority in Finland. She remarked that Russia’s disregard for laws, agreements, and facts means it could use any pretext, irrespective of legal status, for actions against Finland.
The proposal to retroactively strip current dual citizens of their Finnish citizenship also presents a legal challenge. Urpilainen questioned how the candidates proposing this plan intend to implement it and what consequences they foresee. She emphasized the importance of upholding the principles of a legal state, even when it is not the most popular stance.
In Russia, renouncing citizenship is extremely difficult, which means that forcing current dual citizens to choose could result in many unwillingly giving up their Finnish citizenship, subsequently increasing the number of individuals with only Russian citizenship in Finland.
Urpilainen advocated for integrating the Russian minority more firmly into Finnish society and culture rather than alienating them. She cautioned that the debate on retrospectively removing dual citizenship fuels Russia’s disinformation narrative about the mistreatment of Russian speakers.
While not ruling out the possibility of critically examining the criteria for granting new dual citizenships to Russian citizens in the current global situation, Urpilainen suggested a thorough investigation into the merits, drawbacks, and risks of allowing dual citizenship, including the possibility of transitioning to a reciprocal approach. She believes in treating all countries uniformly in this regard.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
