Squinting gestures: Row erupts over Finland MPs mocking posts; PM Petteri Orpo apologises

Finland’s prime minister Petteri Orpo on Wednesday apologised to people of Japan, China, and South Korea after members of parliament from the populist Finns Party sparked criticism for posting pictures making derogatory squinting gestures.The MPs Kaisa Garedew, Juho Eerola, and MEP Sebastian Tynkkynen shared images on social media pulling back the corners of their eyes, a move widely condemned as racist against East Asian people. The posts were reportedly meant to support 2025 Miss Finland Sarah Dzafce, who lost her crown last week for sharing a similar picture in November.“I sincerely apologise for the offensive social media posts made by individual MPs,” Orpo said in statements shared via Finland’s embassies in Japan, China, and South Korea.

“These actions do not reflect Finland’s commitment to equality and inclusion. Racism and discrimination have no place in our society,” the prime minister’s office told AFP.The controversy has already affected Finland’s international collaborations. Public broadcaster Yle reported that a TV production company paused joint projects in Japan, and airline Finnair said the incident had harmed its brand image.

The prime minister’s office emphasised to AFP that the MPs’ conduct “does not represent Finland’s official stance.”Responses from the MPs varied. Eerola apologised, Tynkkynen claimed no offence was intended, while Garedew refused to issue an apology. The Finns Party parliamentary group is expected to discuss possible sanctions on Thursday.Accordong to news agency AFP, since taking office in 2023, Finland’s right-wing coalition government has faced several controversies involving Finns Party members. In August, a party MP faced backlash for claiming that immigrants were turning Finland into “a pigsty".