Minister faces no-confidence motion over far-right links

Minister of Economic Affairs of the newly formed alliance government Vilhelm Junnila will face a no-confidence motion in the parliament over his links to far-right groups.

Junnila, the leader of radical rightist Perussuomalaiset (Finns Party), the second largest component of the four-party government will face the no-confidence brought by the oppositions Vihreä Liitto (Green League) and Vasemmistoliito (Left Alliance).

“The parliamentary group of the Vasemmistoliito decided to bring a no-confidence motion against Minister Junnila because of his extreme right-wing activities,” Chair of the Vasemmistoliito parliamentary group Jussi Saramo wrote in a twitter post on Tuesday.

Vihreä Liitto parliamentary group Chair Atte Harjanne in his twitter wrote that person like Junnila, who has such kind of link had no place in the Finnish government.

The no-confidence motion likely to take place on Wednesday.

Junnila joked about his election number referencing 'Heil Hitler', campaigned at an election under the "gas" slogan and spoke at least one event organised by a far-right group.