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Govt discusses racist remarks made by Perussuomalaiset MP

Govt discusses racist remarks made by Perussuomalaiset MP

The four-party alliance government on Monday discussed the controversialanti-immigrant remarks recently made by Perussuomalaiset (Finns Party) leader Teemu Keskisarja. Although the government did not take any punitive measure against Keskisarja following opposition by Perussuomalaiset, leaders of the ruling parties agreed such speeches that degrade human dignity will not be accepted in future. Keskisarja, a lawmaker and Vice-Chair of the radical rightist Perussuomalaiset, the second component of the alliance government recently made anti-immigrant remarks that created controversy in the country´s political arena. Talking to the national broadcaster Yle last week Keskisarja said that immigrants are turning Finland "into a developing country, a pigsty and a massacre". He also said that the migrants are "low quality" and the "great replacement" conspiracy theory was a "fact". Following the situation, the government discussed the responsibility that ministers, members of Parliament and other political actors have in social debate, said a government press release late Monday night. The government upholds freedom of speech, which is one of societys key values, said the press release, adding that at the same time, it is the governments position that all subjects must be discussed in a manner that respects human dignity. “The classification or labelling of people or groups based on country of origin, education, socioeconomic status or other parts of their background has no place in Finnish social debate. Politicians have a responsibility to serve as examples in this respect,” said the government in the press release. Pointing out the government statement adopted on 31 August 2023 on measures to promote equality and gender equality and to reduce discrimination in Finnish society, the government is committed to promoting equality and non-discrimination and eliminating racism in a comprehensive manner throughout the parliamentary term, the press release added. Earlier in July 2023, Finance Minister and Chairperson of the Perussuomalaiset Riikka Purra apologised for racial remarks that she made on the Scripta blog 15 years ago in guise of a username "riikka".

State to become majority shareholder of Valmet Automotive

State to become majority shareholder of Valmet Automotive

The Finnish State on Monday announced that it will become the majority owner of the automotive contract manufacturer Valmet Automotive Plc, said the government and Finnish Minerals Group in separate press releases. Valmet Automotive will be transferred from Finnish Industry Investment Ltd to direct state ownership. At the same time, Valmet Automotives subsidiary, the battery manufacturer Ioncor, will become a subsidiary of Finnish Minerals Group, a wholly state-owned company specialised in developing the battery value chain. In addition to the State, Ioncors investors will be Pontos Group and Varma Mutual Pension Insurance Company. Around EUR 120 million in state capital will be used for the financing arrangement. The State and Pontos will purchase the 20.6 per cent stake in Valmet Automotive currently owned by China-based Contemporary Amperex Technology Limited. The parties have agreed that the purchase price will not be made public. As part of the arrangement, the State will invest around EUR 35 million in new capital in Valmet Automotive. Once the financing arrangement is complete, the State will own 79 per cent of Valmet Automotives shares, while Pontos will own 21 per cent. As part of the same arrangement, the State, together with Varma and Pontos, will purchase Valmet Automotives shares in its subsidiary Ioncor. The State will invest EUR 20 million in new capital in Ioncor. As a result of the arrangement, Ioncors shareholders will be Finnish Minerals Group (70 per cent), Varma (16 per cent) and Pontos (14 per cent). The downturn in the European automobile industry has caused Valmet Automotives order volumes to decrease in recent years. Ioncor has been systematically developing its product development and assembly operations in a market situation made challenging by the slower-than-predicted pace of electrification. In line with its strategy, Valmet Automotive is expanding its operations to new industrial sectors such as contract manufacturing for the defence industry. The focus of Ioncors new strategy, for its part, is on expanding its operations to heavy-duty vehicles and machinery. “With this financing arrangement, our goal is to ensure that special expertise in industrial contract manufacturing remains in Uusikaupunki and Salo. The State also sees promising opportunities to harness Valmet Automotives expertise to meet the growing needs of the defence industry,” said Minister of Economic Affairs Sakari Puisto. “The State as an owner considers Valmet Automotive a company of national significance and aims to increase the companys shareholder value over the long term in line with its new strategy. Transferring Ioncor to the majority ownership of Finnish Minerals Group further strengthens our goal of expanding business around the battery value chain in Finland,” said Minister Joakim Strand, who is responsible for ownership steering. The arrangement is based on a decision by the Ministerial Committee on Economic Policy. “FMGs strategic objective is to develop a responsible battery value chain in Finland and to drive the creation of a new industry and expertise in the country. IONCOR fits perfectly with our special mission and strategy, as battery engineering and battery system manufacturing are an essential addition to our portfolio downstream in the domestic battery value chain,” said Matti Hietanen, Chief Executive Officer of Finnish Minerals Group.

Ex Finnish-Nigerian politician sentenced to 6 years for terrorism

Ex Finnish-Nigerian politician sentenced to 6 years for terrorism

A Finnish-Nigerian former politician on Monday was sentenced to six years imprisonment on terrorism-related charges, local media reported. The Päijät-Häme District Court awarded the punishment to Simon Ekpa, a former councillor of the Lahti municipality as the allegations brought against him were proved beyond doubt. The court convicted him on charge of public exhortation to an offence committed with a terrorist intent and of contributing to the activities of a terrorist group. The court also convicted him of aggravated tax fraud. According to the case, Ekpa was involved in a move in re-establishing an independent state in the Biafra region of southeastern Nigeria. He used his social media following to fuel tensions in the Biafra region from August 2021 to November 2024 as an influential member of a Biafran separatist movement. The movement established armed groups for the independence of Biafra. In the verdict, the court said that Ekpa was also involved in supplying weapons, explosives, and ammunition to the groups through his network. He also encouraged his social media followers to commit crimes in Nigeria. The convict, however, denied the charges brought against him. Earlier this year, The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) completed the large criminal investigation into terrorist offences, started in autumn 2024 and submitted the case to the Deputy Prosecutor General for consideration of charges.