Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo (NCP) on Sunday addressed Europe’s readiness for potential Syrian migrants, backed tougher sanctions on Russia, emphasised Finland’s defence and criticised far-right participation in Independence Day events.
Islamist rebels toppled Bashar al-Assad‘s regime on Sunday. In response to the news, Orpo said It was too early to determine whether this will lead to an influx of Syrians to Europe and Finland.
“Europe is prepared. Lessons have been learned since 2015. People can no longer just come to Europe like before,” Orpo told reporters during the prime minister’s traditional question hour on Yle Radio 1.
Turning to Russia, Orpo expressed support for tougher and more extensive sanctions against Moscow, stating that it would not be good for Finland if Russian President Vladimir Putin gained the upper hand in peace negotiations.
Regarding the recent discussion on Finland’s potential withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention banning anti-personnel landmines, Orpo emphasised that Finland should have all means available to defend itself.
On the domestic front, Orpo criticised Finns Party MP Teemu Keskisarja‘s participation in a far-right march on Independence Day instead of attending the presidential ball, calling it attention-seeking behaviour.
“It’s difficult for me to understand,” Orpo said, noting that far-right movements have no place in Finnish independence celebrations.
Despite ongoing dissent from the Finns Party, Orpo said his government remained united.
“With the exception of Independence Day, things have improved significantly,” he told reporters.
The prime minister also refrained from commenting on ongoing labour market negotiations but said he would not like to see any strikes this coming spring, as they could harm fragile economic growth.
Orpo rejected criticism that his government’s labour market reforms had provoked workers into seeking revenge at the negotiating table. Finland’s largest labour federation, SAK, is demanding a ten-percent wage increase for its members.
In an effort to alleviate economic concerns, Orpo said he believes the worst of the downturn is over and that more jobs will soon be created, thanks to the economy growing again, citing Google‘s data centre expansion in Finland as an example.
