Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo asked forgiveness this Wednesday, December 17 from the citizens of Japan, China and South Korea after the indignation caused by the publication of selfies by MPs in which they narrowed their eyes.
The scandal began on December 11, when Sarah Dzafce, Miss Finland 2025, was stripped of her title after sharing a photo on social media showing herself pulling the corners of her eyes to squint, accompanied by the caption “eat Chinese.”
To show their support, several elected officials from the Finns Party, a right-wing populist anti-immigration group member of the ruling coalition, then published photos showing them in the same posture, sparking controversy in the Nordic country.
“Racism and discrimination have no place”
“I sincerely apologize for the offensive posts recently published on social networks by some MPs,” said Petteri Orpo, quoted in statements published on the accounts of the Finnish embassies in Japan, China and South Korea. “These publications do not reflect Finland’s values of equality and inclusion,” the statement added, stressing that “racism and discrimination have no place in Finnish society.”
Following these publications, a Finnish production company suspended projects in Japan and the airline Finnair also said it had suffered the consequences of these photos, according to public broadcaster Yle. The behavior of the trio “does not represent Finland’s position” on these issues, assured the Prime Minister’s office.
MP refuses to apologize
The MPs – Kaisa Garedew, Juho Eerola and Sebastian Tynkkynen – reacted differently to the controversy. If the first said she was not required to apologize, the other two made their mea culpa. Sebastian Tynkkynen, however, clarified to local media that this gesture “was not intended to hurt anyone”. Their parliamentary group is due to meet this Thursday to discuss possible sanctions against them.
Coming to power in 2023, the Finnish government has been shaken on several occasions by incendiary remarks made by members of this party. Another MP declared in August that immigrants were transforming Finland into a “piggery”.
After the dismissal of Sarah Dzafce, Tara Lehtonen, first runner-up in the beauty contest in September, and originally from Helsinki, is now the new Miss Finland. “I promise to wear this title with pride and deep respect,” she pledged on Instagram.