In a new blog post on Thursday, the chair of the Finns Party, Finance Minister Riikka Purra defended herself against the recent controversy sparked by revelations about posts she made on a blog 15 years ago.
Despite Purra apologising for the past comments, some of which were racist and violent in nature, there have been calls for the minister to face a confidence vote.
In a post published on her blog on Thursday, Purra addressed the heated debate and media coverage surrounding controversial posts she made in a blog that was, at the time, maintained by Jussi Halla-aho (Finns), the current Speaker of Parliament.
Purra's "defence statement" reiterated some of the points she has previously made on the issue, emphasising her opinion that the old comments were taken out of context and written long before her political career began.
"Contrary to what has been claimed in the media, there is no glorification or incitement to violence in my comments. I have never supported any form of violence or extremist actions. I have always opposed such behaviour," Purra wrote.
In the detailed post nearly 3,000 words long, Purra also delved into a range of different topics, including the Finns Party, racism, media and privacy.
"Many comments exaggerated, foolish, and rude"
"I apologised this summer for the comments I wrote 15 years ago as a private individual using a pseudonym. Many of the comments were exaggerated, foolish and rude. I vented personal frustration about the problems I observed around me, which is permissible for a private individual.
"Similar language and style can be easily found on social media – or even in the correspondence received by a member of Parliament. Regardless of whether one agrees with the content or not, many citizens, especially those supporting the Finns Party like myself, consistently express such sentiments. There was a time when I myself held such views," Purra wrote.
Purra emphasised that she would not use the same language in her current public role but that she intends to continue discussing the underlying issues raised in her past comments. According to her, the failure of Finland's immigration policies was the main motivation for her entry into politics.
Purra also defended her party and stated that every political stance and objective of the party can withstand scrutiny. She said that the party's political positions and goals are based on consistent arguments and democratic processes. Purra also said the Finns Party is not racist.
Criticism of media's role
In a section of her new post, Purra addressed the language style of her old comments. She claims that her comments used a good deal of irony and satire, adding that such language and sarcasm were more acceptable back then, and did not lead to the same level of unintended or deliberate misunderstandings as they might today.
She also refuted allegations that her comments involved violent fantasies.
Purra heavily criticised the media's role in the discussion about her past comments. She suggested that journalists and language experts no longer appear able to interpret language and its use. Purra said she believes that her comments have been evaluated as if they were written completely seriously.
"Things get even uglier when the comments are taken out of context and words that I haven't said are put in my mouth. My comments claimed to convey completely opposite things from what I have actually communicated," she wrote.
She said that the media has focused on her choice of words, rather than the messages she conveyed in her texts.
As her old posts resurfaced in early July, Purra initially refused to apologise or distance herself from those past comments.
However, not long afterwards, she made a public apology. Last week, Yle reported that more than 121,000 had signed a petition calling for Purra's immediate resignation.
28.7: Added Halla-aho's party affiliation, other slight edits.