Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo issued a formal apology on 17 December 2025 for racially charged comments made by members of parliament, calling the remarks 'unacceptable' and contrary to Finland's principles of equality. The apology comes amid heightened scrutiny of racial sensitivity in European politics following a series of incidents targeting Asian communities.
The controversy began earlier this month when Sarah Dzafce, crowned Miss Finland in March 2025, faced public backlash for social media posts accused of perpetuating Asian stereotypes. The Miss Finland organization revoked her title on 15 December, stating the decision aligned with 'zero tolerance for discriminatory behavior.'
Three lawmakers from the far-right Finns Party subsequently shared similar offensive content, triggering nationwide protests and diplomatic concerns from Asian embassies. Prime Minister Orpo emphasized that 'Finland's international partnerships, particularly with Asian economies, depend on mutual respect.' Analysts note the incident could impact Finland's trade relations as Asian markets account for 22% of its 2025 exports.
Political observers say the government plans to introduce mandatory diversity training for all elected officials in early 2026. Meanwhile, Helsinki-based advocacy group Asia Forum Finland has launched a hotline for reporting racial discrimination, receiving over 300 cases in its first 48 hours.
