Commentary on the FORES study

Think tank e2 warmly greets the important and lucid study “The Extreme and Far Right in Europe”. The FORES study is needed. It gives tools to manage and process the growth of the so-called extreme right across Europe. Think tank e2 also sees that it is essential to collect comments linked to the study from think tanks and research institutes across Europe in order to collectively discuss the further future development. However, Think tank e2 reminds discussion is also needed on many other levels and arenas in the society.

As noted in the FORES study, the extreme right has gained parliamentary power in Europe. Even though right radical populist parties do share some common features such as nationalism, racism, xenophobia, anti-democracy, belief in a strong but small state, exclusionism and populism, however it seems that these parties do not share clear common ideology or ideological ground.

From the historical point of view the Nordic countries have not been a fertile breeding ground for radical right-wing parties and fascist sentiments; they were very unpopular after both World Wars. Finland was in fact the only Nordic country where powerful fascist movements had a significant major impact on the political system during the inter-war years (see e.g. Kestilä 2006). However, political agenda in Finland has changed and until the beginning of the 21st century Finland avoided the new rise of right-wing radicalism, though its’ roots can be tracked to the inter-war years. The weakness of the far-right in Finland for a long time made the country "quite abnormal" compared with other European countries.

Researcher Elina Kestilä’s study from 2006 shows that in the light of single-issue and protest voting theories, today’s attitudinal atmosphere in Finland provides as fertile a breeding ground for radical right populism as that in most other West European countries. The case analysis of Finland reveals that anti-immigrant attitudes and dissatisfaction with the political system are most accentuated among older, poorly educated men with no interest in politics.

Kestilä (2006) also argues that the increase of right-wing radicalism started again in the beginning of the 1990’s in Finland. Although there have been no radical-right leaders of major significance, there are a number of anti-immigrant gatherings, nationalist groups and small neo-Nazi organizations. In recent years, however, there has been growing support for the True Finns (Perussuomalaiset).

The True Finns has not generally been included in the radical right-wing party family. It has rather been classified as an agrarian populist party. However, the True Finns has presented several negative colored comments about immigration (with some commentators drawing allegations of xenophobia). For example, in his blog, party member Jussi Halla-aho who is also running in parliamentary elections, described foreigners as criminals and called asylum seekers "African gang rapists" and "parasites on tax payer money." He has since been charged with hate crimes and risks up to two years behind bars.

Naturally, the party leader, Timo Soini, argues that neither he nor his party is racist, stressing instead that the True Finns promote conservative and patriotic values. According to the Yle’s  survey (made in October 2010) 14,3 percent of respondents said they back the True Finns. That is a rise of 1,8 percentage points since September. Meanwhile two big parties, the National Coalition, the Centre and the opposition Social Democrats , have all lost ground.

Rousing bloggers, the media and politicians amid the rising support for the nationalistic True Finns party, the True Finns has got significantly media space.  At the moment it seems unavoidable to block the True Finns successful path to the government. However, neither the Centre party nor the National Coalition will not accept racist aims or targets from any party in the government.  This might prevent the True Finns entry to the minister seats. However, we have to prepare a strategy to face the threat from organized racism. In the past, giving political responsibility has killed a populist party in Finland. Could this be the case today?

It is notable that Finland has relatively few foreigners, but a heated debate on immigration has strengthened. In Finland the parliamentary elections will take place next spring in April. Immigration will likely be one of the big themes during the elections. The FORES study can be used as a tool to deal with the anti-immigrant issues.

Karina Jutila, PhD.
Katariina Salmisalo, Project Consultant 

References

Kestilä, Elina. 2006. 'Is there Demand for Radical Right Populism in the Finnish Electorate?'.  Scandinavian Political Studies. 29 (3), 169-91.