On December 17, 2025, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo issued a heartfelt apology after racist posts by some lawmakers went viral on social media. The apology was shared by Finland's embassies in China, the Republic of Korea, and Japan—in Finnish, English, and Mandarin. 🇫🇮✨
It all started when Sarah Dzafce, crowned Miss Finland 2025, was accused of mocking and stereotyping Asians online. The Miss Finland organizers quickly stripped her of the title. Shortly after, two Finnish MPs and an MEP from the far-right Finns Party posted similar offensive images, fueling outrage.
Orpo's message was clear: "Finland takes racism seriously and stands for equality and inclusion." He said leaders of all governing parties condemned the behavior as insulting and inappropriate. This four-party coalition government, led by Orpo's National Coalition Party, is now on damage-control mode.
Why should we care? 🤷♀️ As tech-savvy young adults in South and Southeast Asia, we know how fast things spread online. One ill-thought tweet or meme can spark global debates in seconds. This incident reminds us that words matter—and so do accountability and respect across cultures.
What's next? We're watching for real change: stronger social media guidelines for public figures and more cross-cultural sensitivity training in politics. Because in a hyper-connected world, inclusivity isn't just a hashtag; it's a must. 💪🌏
Stay tuned and keep calling out hate whenever you see it—your voice has power. #Solidarity #EqualityForAll
Reference(s):
Finnish PM apologizes for lawmakers' remarks offensive to Asians
cgtn.com
