Finnish economy minister Vilhelm Junnila resigned on Friday. He had only been in office for 10 days. His resignation came after accusations of making repeated Nazi references.
The Finns Party, Junnila’s political affiliation, issued a statement citing his resignation as a response to the current situation. However, it is widely believed that he was pressured to resign by the party’s leadership due to concerns over the negative publicity caused by his comments.
Finnish economy minister Junnila faced accusations of Nazi references in various social media posts and interviews. In one post, he likened the European Union to the Third Reich. In another, he suggested that Finland should have remained neutral during World War II.
This resignation adds to the series of controversies that have plagued the Finns Party. The party has faced criticism for its close ties to the far-right and its stance against immigration and multiculturalism.
Junnila’s resignation deals a blow to the Finns Party, currently the second-largest political party in Finland. It also highlights the sensitivity surrounding Nazi references in Finland, a country invaded by Nazi Germany during World War II.
In a statement, Junnila expressed regret for his comments and clarified that he did not intend to offend anyone. He explained that he resigned to avoid becoming a distraction for the government.
The Finns Party announced plans to hold a leadership election in the coming weeks. The identity of Junnila’s successor as the economy minister remains uncertain.
European Leaders Convene in Moldova to Address Security Concerns Amid Russian Aggression
