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1/ In the wake of the "nazi joke" scandal that led to the resignation of the Finnish Minister for Economic Affairs, Vilhelm Junnila, international interest in Finnish politics has grown.
If you're curious about how our "cabinet of horrors" is progressing, here's an update. 🧵
If you're curious about how our "cabinet of horrors" is progressing, here's an update. 🧵
2/ The Chair of The Finns Party, Riikka Purra, is now facing scrutiny as racists comments penned under the username "riikka" on a blog called "Scripta", run by the current Speaker of the Parliament, Jussi Halla-aho, have come back into the spotlight. iltalehti.fi/politiikka/a/f…
3/ As a side note, Speaker Jussi Halla-aho himself has a history of court convictions stemming from his blog posts, which were marked by a consistent thread of racism. euronews.com/2023/06/20/rac…
4/ Turning our attention back to Deputy Prime Minister Riikka Purra. In the morning, a detailed analysis surfaced on Twitter, providing substantial evidence that Purra has published a series of extremely racist comments on the blog several years ago.
https://twitter.com/TapioKuusitapio/status/1678300948723113985
5/ "Riikka" has used a variety of derogatory terms, including the n-word on multiple occasions.
6/ One comment, in particular, has drawn attention, where "riikka" insinuated that there would be dead bodies on a commuter train if she had access to a gun, following an interaction with two Somali teenagers.
https://twitter.com/TapioKuusitapio/status/1678300994642247681
7/ Whilst Purra has admitted to making poorly chosen comments in the past, she neither confirms nor denies that she is the mysterious "riikka".
Nonetheless, several parallels between "riikka" and the Deputy Prime Minister suggest they are indeed the same person."
Nonetheless, several parallels between "riikka" and the Deputy Prime Minister suggest they are indeed the same person."
8/ For example:
Both "riikka" and Riikka Purra have shared stories of growing up in a culturally left-wing home.
Both have mentioned attending the same high school in Tampere with MP Anna Kontula.
Both have stated they were vegetarians from a young age.
Both "riikka" and Riikka Purra have shared stories of growing up in a culturally left-wing home.
Both have mentioned attending the same high school in Tampere with MP Anna Kontula.
Both have stated they were vegetarians from a young age.
9/ Both have worked in restaurants during their student years.
Both have a deep understanding of international politics, which Riikka Purra studied.
Both have written about the role of NGOs, a topic on which Riikka Purra wrote her master's thesis.
Both have a deep understanding of international politics, which Riikka Purra studied.
Both have written about the role of NGOs, a topic on which Riikka Purra wrote her master's thesis.
10/ Both have mentioned being in Barcelona on the same dates in 2008.
Both have mentioned preparing a multicultural critical dissertation, which Riikka Purra has said she left unfinished.
Both have mentioned that their husband worked as journalists for Helsingin Sanomat.
Both have mentioned preparing a multicultural critical dissertation, which Riikka Purra has said she left unfinished.
Both have mentioned that their husband worked as journalists for Helsingin Sanomat.
11/ Both have mentioned being in their thirties in 2008.
Both have mentioned having voted for the Green Party, the National Coalition Party, and the Social Democratic Party.
Both have lived in Tampere and Turku before moving to the capital region.
Both have mentioned having voted for the Green Party, the National Coalition Party, and the Social Democratic Party.
Both have lived in Tampere and Turku before moving to the capital region.
12/ Both have mentioned moving to Kirkkonummi in 2008.
Both have mentioned running as a hobby.
Both have been active in defending Jussi Halla-aho's blog in 2008.
Both have mentioned running as a hobby.
Both have been active in defending Jussi Halla-aho's blog in 2008.
13/ And there you have it, folks – this is the current state of Finnish politics. Neither the Prime Minister nor any other leaders from the governing coalition have made any comments on the situation as of now.
Stay tuned!
Stay tuned!
Almost forgot to mention: This afternoon, Deputy Prime Minister Purra stated on her blog that she has no intention of disavowing or apologising for her earlier writings. riikkapurra.net/2023/07/10/kom…
Purra has no intention of apologising for her past comments, writes Helsingin Sanomat.
hs.fi/politiikka/art…
hs.fi/politiikka/art…
Helsingin Sanomat further questioned Purra: "Would you regard it as a factual error if we assert in our article that you – Riikka Purra – are the 'riikka' who contributed to Scripta?"
Purra offered no response.
Purra offered no response.
17/ Iltalehti was unable to contact Prime Minister Petteri Orpo or the leaders of other governing parties to comment on the claims associated with the writings attributed to Riikka Purra. iltalehti.fi/politiikka/a/f…
18/ Iltalehti tried to reach the party leaders, parliamentary group leaders, and party secretaries of the National Coalition Party, the Swedish People's Party, and the Christian Democrats for comments.
All efforts were met with silence.
All efforts were met with silence.
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