The openly racist and fascist Blue and Black Movement will not be allowed to participate in this spring's municipal and county elections, as the party's registration process is incomplete.
According to the Ministry of Justice, parties taking part in the dual elections had to have been registered no later than this past Monday, 24 February.
The group did register as a party in 2022 after two failed attempts to do so. However, the Supreme Administrative Court struck it off the party register last April. The court ruled that the decision to register it as a party had been erroneous because its stated goals were unconstitutional, and that rescinding that decision was in the public interest.
"Incompatible with constitutional and human rights"
"The court found that the party's goals are incompatible with constitutional and human rights, and democratic principles," the court said in its ruling.
The group applied to re-register as a party the following month.
Candidates who are not affiliated with a registered party can still run for office if they obtain the necessary support from a constituency association. To do so, they must gather signatures from at least 100 eligible voters in their electoral district.
The movement was launched in early 2021 as a ethnonationalist splinter group made up of former Finns Party members. In December and January, it drew protests at Helsinki's Oodi Central Library as members attempted to hold 'reading groups'.
Finland goes to the polls on 13 April to elect members of municipal and city councils as well as wellbeing services county councils. Advance voting begins on 2 April.
The All Points North podcast explored the local elections, asking how and why people should get involved. Listen to the episode via this embedded player, on Yle Areena, via Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
