As Finland’s top three political parties suffered losses in the recent European elections, the country’s nationalistic True Finns party captured their first European parliament seat ever. True Finns support base has grown impressively since its weak 0.5 percent showing in the previous 2004 Euro elections.
This time around the eurosceptic True Finns took nearly 10 percent of the overall vote, allowing them to take one of the 13 seats Finland holds in the EU assembly. The AFP’s voting results indicate that Timo Soini, the leader of True Finns, won around 130,000 direct votes, more than any other Finnish candidate.
Even the current Finnish prime minister conceded the substantial inroads the nationalist party has made. “Timo Soini’s True Finns have won these elections. For us this is a loss, our support is going downwards. Responsibility weighs,” Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen admitted in an interview with public broadcaster YLE.
One of the main platforms of the True Finns is stricter immigration rules. They are also decidedly eurosceptic, a stance that appears to be attracting a growing number of Finnish supporters.
“We got support from the left and all over. Many people who did not vote in previous EU elections voted for us now. We had a good, credible, EU-critical campaign and good candidates,” Soini told YLE.
The present government’s Centre party, as well as the conservative National Coalition party, each took three seats in the EU elections. Finland’s largest opposition party, the Social Democrats, won two seats this time around, while the Greens also took two seats.
The Swedish People’s Party also took a seat.
^_^
When someone was not born in a determined place (plus he didn’t grow there) how could he claim himself as a ‘TRUE’ citizen, imo ? I will never do such a pitiful thing; note: I have an odd personality ( and behaviour as well :D ).
What really matters (imo x2): if they really accept people for what they are -misantrophe, nihilist, whatever- (it’s a shameful World after all) they deserve the right to recognize themselves BETTER than anyone else as you say every time :P
tell us your story first before showing your grudge again, pls. It could help you more than mere hatred.
Alfred.
I have no problem with Finns superiority.
Just remember TWO things.
– It was Russia that made Finnland happened as independent country (first beating sh*t out of Sweden then letting Finland go)
– Russia will always beat Finland in ice hockey! And you have to live with that! :-)
Seriously, Alfred, stop talking on behalf of Finns. they are nice guys although a little sh-lo-o-o-w (except some F1 races).
I admire the fact that a growing number of Finns are saying publicly and through their votes what most certainly a majority of them say privately – Finland is for Finns. They have a human right to say that. Many generations of Finns sacrificed their blood and sweat to make a better Finland for the Finnish people. They were not making these sacrifices or building up their welfare state for the benefit of Somalis or Roma or or Turks or Russians or Iraqis, etc. etc. They were doing it for Finns. Finns know what I am talking about and any person who has had a private conversation with an adult Finn who trusts you knows what I am talking about.
That being said, I restate: Finns believe they are superior to other people, both culturally and genetically. They are racist to the core. They are the type of racists that do not even realize it – they believe that by acting like a “nice” country on the world stage proves they are not racist (and much of the world believes it). But a Finn – almost any Finn – will NEVER NEVER believe that a Somali is Finnish, even if he becomes a citizen and serves in the military, etc. The Somali can never have real SISU or be a good hockey player or understand the KALEVALA the way a Finn can. What would a Finn say if you portayed Lemenkainen as a black man? Folks it is all based on race – the Finnish race – and of all the people of Europe the homogeneous Finns, in their land of whiteness, think in terms of “us and them” the most.
The self righteous Finns like to lecture others on how things should be done. They have had the nerve to give little lectures to the rest of the EU of immigration policies. They believe that immigration and multiculturalism is right for others but not for Finland. Why? Because deep down they believe Finns are a special and pure race and they do not want to see that or Finland as a country change. They believe Americans are ignorant and racist. I’ll say this for the typical American – they do not base being an American on what color you are. It is not based on race or genetics. It is a country with some racists, but it is not a race based nation. Finland is.
But if I were a Finn I would have voted True Finn.