1 more minister of Perussuomalaiset faces criticism for racist slurs

Another minister of the four-party alliance government came under fire following the discovery of his racist remarks made in 2016.

Minister of Economic Affairs Wille Rydman of the radical rightist Perussuomalaiset (Finns Party) made the remarks in text messages sent to his former dating partner when he was a lawmaker of the conservative Kansallinen Kokoomus (National Coalition Party-NCP), the main component of the alliance, reported a leading Finnish language newspaper Helsingin Sanomat.

Rydman in the messages wrote to his former girlfriend about planting a flowerbed and compares the reproduction of lilies of the valley with Somalis.

"But when the lily of the valley plant will be brought to this plot, you will find it everywhere as it spreads and reproduces like a Somali. If you want Somali lilies of the valley in your flowerbed, you can find them here and transplant them," he wrote in the messages.

Rydman also called Middle East background people "incomprehensible monkeys" and "desert monkeys" in his other messages.

On July 6, Rydman was appointed as the Minister of Economic Affairs replacing his party colleague Vilhelm Junnila.

Earlier on June 30, Junnila decided to resign following the controversy raised over his links to far-right groups.

Rydman left Kokoomus and joined Perussuomalaiset in January, 2023 following allegations of inappropriate behavious to women in June 2022.

Rydman´s racist remarks came to light when his party Chairperson and Finance Minister Riikka Purra is facing risk of no-confidence motion by the opposition pastries for her racist and violent remarks.

Purra came under fire following widespread controversy raised over racial, apparently violent and anti-immigrant comments made in guise of an identity of ´riikka´ in 2008 on a blog hosted by former Chairperson of her party Jussi Halla-aho, also Speaker of the present parliament.

On July 11, Purra admitted that she made the controversial remarks on the Scripta blog 15 years ago in guise of a username "riikka" and apologised for the racial, violent and anti-immigrant comments.

Petteri Orpo-led four-party right-wing alliance government took office on June 20.

Another Perussuomalaiset leader and Interior Minister Mari Rantanen faced strong criticism for her social media post related to far-right ideology and immigration.

Speaker of the parliament and former Perussuomalaiset Chairperson Jussi Halla-aho, who hosted the Scripta blog was convicted of inciting hatred against an ethnic group in 2012.

Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, also leader of the Kokoomus on Friday expressed his reaction over the remarks made by Rydman terming the remarks as inappropriate, reported national broadcaster Yle.

Talking to Yle, the Premier, however, said the government cooperation will continue despite the remarks made by Rydman.