Finnish finance minister and leader of the Finns Party Riikka Purra. LEHTIKUVA
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Riikka Purra, Finland’s finance minister and leader of the Finns Party, has defended two of her party’s MPs for choosing to participate in the controversial 612 torch march on Independence Day rather than attending the Presidential Palace gala.
MPs Teemu Keskisarja and Sheikki Laakso announced last week that they would forgo the traditional Independence Day reception to attend the 612 event in Helsinki.
Keskisarja is also scheduled to speak at the event, which has drawn criticism in previous years for including far-right participants.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Purra emphasised the MPs’ right to participate. “The 612 event is a nationalist and patriotic event that upholds values such as freedom of assembly and freedom of speech,” Purra wrote. She added, “Members of Parliament have the same rights as any citizen in a democracy, and they are free to exercise them.”
A controversial march
The 612 torch march, first held in 2014, honours Finland’s war dead but has been criticised for attracting far-right and extremist groups. While organisers promote the event as non-partisan and patriotic, counter-protests, such as the “Helsinki without Nazis” demonstration, have opposed its associations with nationalist and far-right ideologies.
Keskisarja, who revealed his decision in the nationalist Sarastus magazine, argued the event aligned more closely with his personal values than the palace gala. He stated that the march moves “in the right direction, unlike the handshake queue.”
Laakso shared his decision to join the event on social media. Both MPs have faced scrutiny for associating with a march that police regularly monitor due to tensions between participants and counter-protesters.
Party leadership’s stance
Purra acknowledged concerns about the event’s associations but distanced her party from extremist activities. “The Finns Party does not condone undemocratic methods or far-right actions,” she said. She also urged participants to respect the event’s purpose by leaving political slogans and symbols at home.
Purra compared the criticism of the 612 march to other politically charged demonstrations. She pointed out that violence-inciting materials have appeared at protests against the government, but such actions do not define the broader gatherings. “Similarly, the questionable actions of a few individuals do not represent the majority of participants in the 612 event,” she stated.
Political rights and responsibilities
Purra defended the principle that MPs, regardless of political affiliation, have the right to choose their engagements. She highlighted a previous instance where an MP from another party spoke at an event described as anti-Semitic. “While I do not support such actions, Members of Parliament are entitled to make these decisions,” she noted.
As the 612 march continues to attract both participants and critics, it highlights ongoing debates in Finland over nationalism, freedom of expression, and political accountability. Police are expected to maintain a significant presence at this year’s event to ensure public safety.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
