The leadership of the opposition National Coalition Party (NCP) is under intense pressure to clearly state what kind of behaviour the party will accept from its own MPs, University of Turku researcher Markku Jokisipilä told Yle Radio 1's Ykkösaamu show on Monday morning.
Jokisipilä's comments come after Helsingin Sanomat on Sunday published an article containing claims by several women that NCP MP Wille Rydman used his political position to gain access to young women and girls. Among his various positions, Rydman has chaired the NCP's youth wing.
Rydman vehemently denied the allegations made by Helsingin Sanomat and has indicated his intention to seek legal advice over the publication of the article.
Helsingin Sanomat did not claim that Rydman had committed any crimes, but the MP's actions should not be judged solely from a legal standpoint, Jokisipilä noted.
"We are talking about behaviour that is not criminal, according to the published information, but which clearly has features that are not considered acceptable in our current culture," Jokisipilä said.
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NCP face "tricky" decision ahead of parliamentary elections
The next parliamentary elections are scheduled to take place less than a year from now, in April 2023, and the NCP has consistently topped voter polls as the country's most popular party.
While Jokisipilä was not willing to comment on whether the NCP will choose to nominate Rydman as a candidate in next year's election, he did note that the 36-year-old MP has the right to defend himself against the allegations.
Rydman's account of events differs significantly from HS's report.
"Ultimately, the National Coalition Party must decide what kind of solution is in the party's interest," Jokisipilä said, adding that the situation is "tricky" especially as there is no evidence of criminal wrongdoing.
NCP chair Petteri Orpo told Yle on Sunday that the party will investigate the matter "by all means necessary", further noting that the party leadership had been aware of rumours about Rydman "for some time", but not about the seriousness and extent of the matter.
The party leadership has also said it would welcome a new police investigation into the allegations against Rydman.