Independence and the Sword of Damocles

Finland became independent exactly 108 years ago. Has that been a long or a short time?

One way to look at it is that Finns of my age have lived through and experienced most of the country’s independence. And our grandparents were born in the autonomous Grand Duchy of Finland within the Russian Empire.

On the other hand, Finland’s independence has lasted as long as the time it spent as part of Russia. The Finnish War was fought in 1808–09, and in the ensuing peace agreement the eastern parts of the then Kingdom of Sweden—those along the Gulf of Bothnia and in the north along the Tornio and Muonio rivers—were ceded to Russia.

During its 108 years, the autonomous Grand Duchy had only five grand dukes. The first was Alexander I, who decided to make Finland autonomous and incorporated into it the territories east of the Kymi River that Russia had previously conquered. Our last grand duke was Nicholas II, who set out to dismantle Finland’s autonomous status—something that caused widespread dissatisfaction and ultimately led to Finland’s independence.

Independent Finland has had thirteen presidents and seventy-seven governments. At the beginning of independence, strong powers were granted to the president because there was considerable monarchist sentiment among the people. Since the 1980s, however, constitutional reforms have made the government and its prime minister the country’s de facto wielders of power—excluding foreign policy, where strong presidents Sauli Niinistö and Alexander Stubb have kept the reins firmly in their own hands.

* * *

History belongs to the past, and although it is pleasant to recall, the fate of our people will be decided in the future. And so our descendants will see whether Finland is still Finnish after another 108 years—that is, in 2133.

As history shows, a great deal can happen over such a long span of time, and predicting the outcome is impossible—just as it was in December 1917. Few people back then could have imagined our life as members of the European Union and of the Western defence alliance 108 years later. And such long-term foresight is hardly possible today either.

Nevertheless, there is reason for confidence in the future, because Finland is a democracy, and as such the country’s fate lies in the hands of its people. Yet hidden within this fact is a kind of Sword of Damocles: with good decisions, the future of Finns can be at least as bright as the past 108 years, but poor decisions could lead to national decline and a harsh future for generations to come.

That is why we—and future Finns—must exercise our rightful power with care and wisdom: to secure the success of our homeland and its Finnish people.

Despite all this — or perhaps precisely because of it — I wish all of you, my esteemed readers, a very happy Finnish Independence Day!

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Gender identity and the future of Finnishness
Finns - Among the World’s Best
Independence day of Finland now and 83 years ago

The original blogpost in Finnish:
Itsenäisyys ja Damokleen miekka

May Day Reflections from a President—and a Student

The former President of Finland, Sauli Niinistö, was both a lawyer and a politician during his career. That combination is not particularly rare, but what is unusual is a former head of state openly sharing memories from his student days.

Niinistö was likely inspired by the upcoming May Day Eve, which in Finland is a celebration not only for workers but also for students. That was already the case during his own time as a law student, when the festivities would begin well in advance.

One year, however, the student celebrations in Turku took a turn when a law students’ organization was caught selling alcohol illegally. Niinistö didn’t elaborate on the consequences but did offer a cryptic comment: the festivities didn’t end there—“lawyers always find a loophole.”

As a student, Niinistö lived mostly on study loans but worked whenever he could. He was willing to take on any job, so the future MP, minister, and president gained some early experience in the political trenches—by, for example, repairing sewers.

Looking back, he described the most valuable lesson of those years as learning, little by little, to recognize different kinds of people—and to understand that “in the end, we’re all carved from roughly the same wood.”

One of the president’s most poignant international memories was connected to the Prague Spring—the Czechoslovak uprising of 1968. Niinistö had a couple of Czech friends who, inspired by the movement, returned to their homeland that spring and disappeared. As he put it: “the guys went to Prague in the spring, and nothing was ever heard from them again, even though they were passionate fellows.”

That story reminds us of the cruelty inflicted by the Soviet-led socialist dictatorship within its sphere of influence. And it strengthens our resolve to ensure that Europe is never again divided into spheres of influence between the West and Russia.

With these presidential memories, I wish all readers of this blog a joyful May Day! Enjoy the spirit of spring—whether you are a worker, a student, or simply a fellow human being. And always stay on the right side!

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Brianna Wu's advice and the reality of Finnish politics
Finnish horror gallery and reality
What seemed to be impossible just two years ago is going to happen in very near future

Will Finland have the first openly homosexual president?

In Finland, a new president will be elected in the beginning of next year. One of the main candidates is Pekka Haavisto (Greens), who, while serving as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, even broke Finnish laws to bring terrorists from the Al-Hol camps to Finland.

It remains to be seen whether this fact will affect his success in the election. And if it does, then in which direction.

Haavisto has a strong support base among the political left and the sexual minorities. Thanks to this, he gained over 37 percent of the support in the 2012 presidential elections, in which the outgoing president Sauli Niinistö was elected as the head of state of Finland.

In the upcoming elections, Haavisto is currently the frontrunner, but it remains to be seen whether the situation changes once the election campaigns pick up pace. If he gets elected, he would become Finland's first openly homosexual head of state. 

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Veronmaksajan lasku on 20 000 euroa per islamisti + muut kulut (In Finnish, but readable by e.g. Google translator: The taxpayer's bill is 20,000 euros per Islamist + additional expenses)
Haaviston lain vastaisesti vaihtama virkamies otti vastuun terrorismista - mutta se kuuluu silti Marinin kabinetille (In Finnish, but readable by e.g. Google translator: The official changed by Haavisto against the law took responsibility for terrorism - yet it still falls under Marin's cabinet)

Are we going to allow ISIS women to ride on their children? 

Finnish horror gallery and reality

 In Finland, there is an ongoing special operation by the left-wing to overthrow the right-wing government that was appointed a few weeks ago. As a result, one minister has resigned, and another has been targeted over online writings from fifteen years ago, which have been claimed to be written by her.

The minister in question, Riikka Purra of the Finns Party, has neither confirmed nor denied writing the mentioned texts. Instead, it has emerged that among the texts cited is at least one taken out of context, which gives a false impression in the way it has been presented. It does not involve violent fantasies towards children, as it has been suggested, but rather is a response to a proposal to ban the right to carry firearms for all men. The alleged pseudonymous author, now claimed to be the current minister, has opposed the idea with the expression that has been brought up.

It is also interesting to note that the minister in question, who is under public scrutiny, was the candidate who received the highest number of votes in the national parliamentary elections in the spring. And I don't believe there was a single person among those who voted for her who was unaware of her critical stance on immigration.

Therefore, the orchestrated campaign must be seen as an undemocratic attempt to bypass the election results and overthrow the government enjoying the support of the majority in the parliament, as well as the minister who has garnered exceptional popularity. This is happening in a country where even ministers with a history of participating in armed rebellion have been seen, and earlier this year, a person convicted of a crime also held a ministerial position.

As such, the ongoing discussion has followed the familiar pattern. The left-wing opposition promotes their own propaganda, and the press supports it. Prime Minister Petteri Orpo (National Coalition Party), on the other hand, briefly stated that the government parties are committed to an equal, equitable, and safe society where no one should live in fear.

Just before writing this blog post, President Sauli Niinistö stated, "It would be wise for the Finnish government to take a clear zero-tolerance stance against racism. Racism and potential issues related to immigration are two completely separate matters."

This is an interesting comment considering that the Finnish government has already outlined in its program that "Finland adheres to human rights and other international agreements, obligations of EU legislation, and the principles of the rule of law in its immigration policy. Finland participates in multilateral international cooperation."

Furthermore, it has pointed out - acknowledging the facts - that "the government recognizes the increasing youth and gang crime as a serious problem. The government is committed to implementing the necessary measures to actively combat and reduce youth and gang crime. Resolving the issue requires a multidisciplinary approach. The entire society, starting from families and parental support in upbringing, as well as efforts against marginalization and discrimination, up to integration and immigration policies, will be involved in the process of change."

In other words, the government program states that it adheres to human rights principles (which definitely do not include racism) but also acknowledges the internal security problems caused by Finnish immigration policy. The latter, along with the indifference of previous governments and the media towards it, is the actual reason why the Finns Party has become the second most popular party in Finland. Riikka Purra, who is currently targeted in the campaign, emerged as the vote queen in the last elections.

In practice, the Finnish government will continue to lead the country as long as the Members of Parliament belonging to the participating parties support it. However, the Swedish People's Party may pose a problem in this regard, as their representatives have previously betrayed their coalition partners. 

However, so far, they have only demanded Purra to disassociate herself from all forms of racism. That was despite the fact, that the minister already Tweeted that "At the same time, it is evident that both the Finns Party and this government operate in accordance with all laws, do not endorse any extremist movements, condemn all totalitarian ideologies, violent activities, and discrimination."

It remains to be seen whether Swedish People´s Party will betray again their coalition partners. If this happens, it will leave a long-lasting stigma between it and other right-wing parties.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Putin´s Russia got mad about the Finnish chairman of the Parliament
The program of the new Finland´s Government is ready, and ministers are being selected
Increase of violence by youngsters in Finnish towns

What seemed to be impossible just two years ago is going to happen in very near future

Turkey´s president Recep Tayyip Erdogan told to Sauli Niinistö - president of Finland - that Turkey will start the ratification process that leads to Finland´s membership in NATO. That is excellent news to Finns, who tried to get along with the Russians after World War II by accommodating them in every possible way, hoping that this would prevent the great power to direct aggression towards Finland.

As this strategy proved to be wrong, at the latest when Russia attacked Ukraine, the NATO application received strong support from almost the entire Finnish population. And therefore the leading Finnish politicians have been commonly acknowledged for their action in the process.

President Niinistö described how the process with Turkey proceeded. First, president of the Republic, Sauli Niinistö together with the Minister for Foreign Affairs began their state visit by laying a wreath at the grave of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder and first president of the Republic of Turkey.

Then the President of Turkey received the President of the Republic of Finland with proper hospitality. When Niinistö greeted Turkish soldiers, the response echoed in unison like a company to their commander. 

The presidents, walking along the blue carpet under umbrellas, were barely protected from the rain. However, Turkish President was in such a jovial mood that it did not take long for Erdogan to become concerned about the Finnish photographer's wet shoes. As the ceremony began with a slight delay, it seemed as if a rainbow had been drawn behind the rain clouds.

Provided that Turkey will do as promised by their president, there is still one obstacle left. That is Hungary, who remains the only NATO-country that has not started the ratification process of the Finnish application.

That may, however, change soon, as at the same time as Erdogan gave his promise, the ruling Fidesz party announced that the Hungarian parliament is scheduled to vote on the ratification of Finland's NATO membership on March 27. According to the leader of its parliamentary group, the party's parliamentary group unanimously supports Finland's NATO membership.

All of this means that something that seemed to be impossible just two years ago is going to happen in very near future. And my homeland can finally lean on the Western world that shares the same democratic values in protecting its security. 

That will be of utmost importance to me, as it marks the moment when we Finns can finally relax and put an end to the worries over the security risks posed by our eastern neighbor for centuries.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:

Erdogan wants fighter jets, and uses Finland and Sweden to get them
Finland after the Russian war in Ukraine
Why Finland will apply for a membership in NATO

Why Finland will apply for a membership in NATO

President of Finland, Sauli Niinistö, explained why he wanted Finland to join NATO. I think there is a lot of wisdom in his message, and therefore I decided to translate it here. 

"I said in my New Year’s speech that ´in a fast-paced world, it is even more valuable than previously to know when to hurry, when to be patient´. This spring in Finland we have succeeded in this in a great way. Together we have rushed and tempered. The Finnish democracy has shown its exceptional strength.

Ensuring Finland's security has always been the most important goal. That has taken determined and rapid movements, but also time and cold-headed considerations were needed.

Now is a time to make the decision. I shared my opinion today with the Prime Minister: Finland must apply NATO membership as soon as possible.

With NATO membership, Finland maximizes its own security. It does not take anything from anyone, and neither is it against anyone. As a member of the alliance, Finland will responsibly carry its share on the security of the entire community.

Even for a NATO member, the geography stays immutable. Russia is and will remain a border neighbor of Finland. Therefore we must be able to take care of practical issues with Russians also in the future. NATO country Norway has been able to do this.

As a member of NATO, Finland will not grow any bigger that its size is. Determination is not always intended to look imposing. Our constructive line is appreciated.

Our Nordic connection is becoming even closer with the NATO membership. Alongside with well-being, democracy and human rights, the Nordic model will in future be even more widely known for its way of security thinking. We will have a strong, stable and responsible North. It increases stability, not only in the Fennoscandian countries, but also throughout the Baltic region and in the entire Baltic Sea area.

We are now in a historical turning point. But NATO membership will not change everything. The security of Finland will continue to be the most important goal of our foreign and security policy also in the future."

I think the text was typical to President Niinistö, and in my understanding opens even to foreigners why he has an extremely high confidence among the citizens. It is also an excellent coincidence that he happened to have his high position right now, when Finland was taking the last step towards a full membership among the western community of nations. 

Had there been his predecessor Tarja Halonen, these historical developments would almost certainly not have been taken. Instead, we would - even after the tragedy in Ukraine - have exposed ourselves to the Russian aggressor. And possibly ended sooner or later into a situation similar to the one in year 1939.

Previous thought on the same topic:
COVID-19 against Finland´s NATO plans
Is President Putin on his way to repeat the destiny of Czar Nicholas II?
Finland and NATO - problems to be solved