Populist fever hit Finland this April as the right-wing Finns Party came second in highly anticipated elections that deposed the ruling Social Democratic Party in favour of a four-party coalition of the Right. With over 20% of the electorate, the Finnish populists will now take their place as junior partners in a coalition with the centre-right National Coalition Party and two smaller groupings after a deal was reached whereby the Finns Party would secure crucial reforms on Finland’s asylum policy and the postponement of certain green regulations.
This is the second time the Finns Party has entered the government since a misguided pact with the Centre Party. How does Finnish populism stand amid a year of geopolitical intrigue with the country’s eastern neighbour Russia?
The European Conservative spoke with the vice chairman of the party parliamentary group, MP Wille Rydman, about the party’s past, present, and future, as it navigates a brand new coalition government and a changing European order. Are the Finns Party just political fodder in another loveless coalition deal or does their success mark a deeper change in the country’s political landscape in line with the rest of Europe?
For the second time, the Finns Party entered government. Considering the fatal 2015 decision to enter into a coalition deal with the Centre Party, which resulted in a split within the party, what makes this time different?
Even though the party split was very dramatic, it still was the best thing that ever happened for the Finns Party. Those with wrong motives left the party. That made the party stronger and more united. We are now much better prepared for entering a government than the party was in 2015. We have now negotiated a government program that fulfils the most important political aims of the party.
What specific reforms to the Finnish asylum structure has your party lobbied for during recent coalition talks and why do you think they are needed?
We need to make similar changes in the legislation that most Nordic countries have done. Finland must not be the weakest link in the North. We will make the deportations more effective and reduce the refugee quota, among many other reforms.
You are in an interesting personal predicament considering you used to be a member of your new coalition partner the National Coalition Party. What motivated your defection?
I became a member of the NCP over 20 years ago. If such a party as the current Finns Party had existed at that time, I most likely would have chosen this party even then. Now it feels like coming home.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Finns Party has been accused of reversing its past reservations to NATO membership. Is this true and what triggered the change?
Actually the Finns Party has always had a pretty open mind and positive approach when it comes to NATO. After Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the party became almost unanimously in favour of Finland’s NATO membership.
The Finns Party caused controversy on the Right after defecting from the Identity and Democracy group in the European Parliament, citing pro-Russian sympathies within the faction. Can you explain this decision and how the war in Ukraine has affected your party’s ability to cooperate with those considered to be too soft on Russia?
We must stand with Ukraine. This is a very clear and principal question. I think the Finns Party made the right decision in the European Parliament.
Considering Finland’s history with Russian imperialism, could you explain to readers who are sceptical about the war why you believe it is necessary to defend Ukraine?
Russia only understands power. They consider The West weak if The West tries to negotiate. Putin will not stop until he is stopped. He must be stopped now. He should have been stopped a long time ago.
Could you provide a brief outline as to how the Finns Party has developed from its foundation in the 1990s as primarily an agrarian populist group to a party of government in 2023? Did the party undergo a moderation process against more right-wing elements?
The Finns Party was an agrarian populist party in the beginning, indeed. But it has developed a lot, especially after the party split in 2017. Now the party could be described as a modern right-wing party with a critical approach when it comes to immigration. We are pretty close to Swedish Democrats now, though our political roots are pretty much different.
Writing for The European Conservative, Ville Korpela defined Finnish conservatism as inherently pro-Atlanticist in nature. Would you agree and what are the ideological motivations behind the Finns Party in your view?
I actually agree with Mr. Korpela. The Transatlantic connection has been very important for Finland and its significance is getting even greater now as Finland has entered NATO.
The Swedish Democrats play a kingmaker role in domestic politics due to its leverage over the ruling government. Does the Finns Party wish to repeat this and over what specific issues?
The political position in Finland has very much in common with Sweden, indeed. There is still also one significant difference. The Swedish Democrats support the government, but they have not entered the government. The Finns party shares the government with the other right-wing parties in Finland. The political agenda is still pretty much the same for both parties.
Do you foresee any immediate flashpoints between the EU and your government?
There may be several difficult situations with the EU in the coming four years. I still think that the government talks lead to a political programme that gives good guidelines … to handle those possible situations.
