Finns Party leader and finance minister Riikka Purra has repeated her apology for racist and violent comments that she wrote on a blog in 2008.
Purra made the statements during a press conference held jointly with Prime Minister Petteri Orpo (NCP) in the grounds of the PM's official residence, Kesäranta, on Wednesday afternoon.
Wednesday's press briefing marked the first time Purra had spoken to reporters since her past controversial comments surfaced on social media earlier this week.
Orpo noted that members of his cabinet had discussed the matter, and he reiterated that his government has a zero-tolerance policy for all forms of racism and extremism -- adding that those values are part of the government programme.
Orpo also said the government will present its plan to promote equality and non-discrimination in Finland to parliament when it reconvenes in early September, and then seek a vote of confidence. Opposition leaders have also called for such a vote.
Confidence vote likely
Purra's and Orpo's statements on Wednesday came as an increasing number of MPs have called for a vote of confidence in Purra. MP Harry Harkimo, leader of the small Movement Now party, told Helsingin Sanomat earlier on Wednesday that he has demanded Parliament reconvene from summer recess due to the racism scandal surrounding Purra.
"I would like Parliament to be convened for a vote of confidence on Purra. Every MP should have their say on this, and that is best done in a vote of confidence," Harkimo told HS.
Harkimo's statement comes after MP Krista Kiuru (SDP) issued a similar call on Tuesday.
The issue of Purra's comments marked the third scandal over old far-right social media posts by Finns Party ministers to hit Orpo's administration since it took office three weeks ago.
Orpo to meet Biden
Orpo also announced that he will meet US President Joe Biden early on Thursday afternoon along with President Sauli Niinistö, ahead of a US-Nordic Leaders Summit at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki.
The other four Nordic prime ministers will take part in the summit, but not Orpo, as Finland will be represented by Niinistö. Biden and his large entourage are scheduled to arrive in Finland at around 10.30pm on Wednesday. The location of their overnight stay has not been announced, nor details of Biden's schedule tomorrow before the afternoon meetings at the Presidential Palace.
This story was edited to add details at 15:49.