Fresh SDP chair Antti Lindtman on Sunday said Prime Minister Petteri Orpo (NCP) must ensure that the government sends the message that Finland does not tolerate racism.
"Racism now has a face, and this summer it has ripped a wound in the soul of Finland," Lindtman told party delegates at the SDP conference in Jyväskylä.
He also criticised the EU positions of the Finns Party, calling the party's long-term goal of Finland exiting the bloc "irresponsible."
In his speech, he also emphasised the importance of entrepreneurship and tackling climate change.
Lindtman called on the government to cancel its proposed labour market reforms as well as tax cuts targeting higher-income earners.
"When an unemployed single parent comes and asks whether it's necessary to cut housing allowances and public services, [Minister of Finance] Riikka Purra throws up her hands and says, 'sorry, the money already went to the high earners,'" Lindtman said.
The Social Democrats are prepared to balance public finances, according to Lindtman, but the measures must be carried out fairly, he said.
The SDP convention on Sunday also threw its support behind Finnish EU Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen as the party's presidential candidate.
Last month, Urpilainen, a former SDP chair, said it was an honour to be considered and would announce her decision on running by November.
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