Henna Virkkunen: Opportunist or Unsuitable Commissioner Candidate?

The so-called political far-right achieved a major electoral victory in the EU elections. At the same time, significant changes occurred in its organization, resulting in the formation of two fairly equally sized groups.

The parties belonging to the ECR share a common critical stance against Russian imperialism, a stance also found in other parliamentary groups. In contrast, the parties aligned with the PIE are either uncritical or outright supporters of Russian imperialism, aligning themselves with part of the far-left The Left group in this regard.

Among Finnish parties, the Finns Party is a member of the ECR and unequivocally supports Western values. This stance has been evident in both Finnish politics and a national public broadcaster's survey, which asked MEPs whether Hungary's presidency should be suspended due to Viktor Orbán's solo actions favoring Russia.

Among Finnish MEPs, an overwhelming majority - including the representative of the Finns Party - supported the suspension, but Elsi Katainen (Renew) and Henna Virkkunen (EPP) would allow Orbán to continue, and Katri Kulmuni (Renew) did not know how to respond. In this context, it is interesting that Henna Virkkunen is Finland's commissioner candidate.

The question, therefore, is whether Virkkunen's view diverged from that of other Finnish EPP members because she did not want to irritate the presiding country, or if she genuinely supported Orbán. If it was the former, her stance does not demonstrate even basic political integrity, but rather sole opportunism. If it was the latter, it raises the question of whether she is at all suitable as Finland's commissioner candidate.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
A National Rally election victory does not mean that France will become like Finland under the Finns Party
Former President of Finland, Tarja Halonen, suggested that Ukraine should cede part of its territory
Daniel Freund demanded a ban to Viktor Orbán