Finland Times

The leader of the opposition in parliament and the chair of Suomen Sosialidemokraattinen Puolue (Social Democratic Party of Finland-SDP) Antti Rinne, the chair of Vihreä liitto (Green League) Ville Niinistö, former speaker of parliament Eero Heinäluoma and former foreign minister Erkki Tuomioja are on the list, among others.

Finns Party official Matti Putkonen accused the group of 13 individuals of inciting the citizens and the media through hate speech.

The other dignitaries on the list are Vasemmistoliitto (Left Alliance) lawmaker Li Andersson, Professor Kimmo Grönlund, Yle News Editor-in-chief Atte Jääskeläinen, Professor

Jan Sundberg, Professor Juha Suoranta, SDP lawmaker Tytti  Tuppurainen, former Finnish Rural Party MP Pekka Vennamo, Kansallinen Kokoomus (National Coalition Party)

lawmaker Henna Virkkunen, and Demokraatti Editor-in-chief Antti Vuorenrinne.

Putkonen admitted that he was solely responsible for naming the persons on the list. According to Putkonen, the party hierarchy was not aware of the list and whether it was going to be made public.

SDP Chairman Antti Rinne said the Finns Party is trying to divert the subject from racism.

Green party leader Niinistö termed Finns Party move undemocratic. According to Niinistö, the action by a leading government party to list opponents from among the opposition, media and researchers is frightening, adding that such a move does not have room in democracy.

Former foreign minister Erkki Tuomioja in a swift rejoinder posted on his Facebook page said he would have been surprised if his name had not been included on the list.

According to Tuomioja, Finns Party absurdity gets a new dimension all the time following the party’s publication of the list.