Summary:
Finland’s Minister of Finance Petteri Orpo discusses the splitting of the Finns party in a Helsingin Sanomat interview. He says that Finland must now be particularly active in EU policy, because Germany and France want to deepen integration. This would not have been possible with Jussi Halla-aho’s Finns party in government. For Orpo, patriotism means making decisions that are in the best interest of the nation, which includes being active EU member and working to develop the union. Minister of European Affairs Sampo Terho, part of the splinter group, has spoken about a potential EU referendum. According to Orpo, this will stop now.

Media:  Helsingin Sanomat (E-edition, PDF)
Date: 16.6.2017
Journalist: Pekka Mykkänen
Main source: Minister of Finance Petteri Orpo