Finnish government plans changes to refugee selection process as Perussuomalaiset push for religious filtering

The Finnish government is currently preparing to refine its selection process for quota refugees. The populist party Perussuomalaiset (Finns Party) has expressed a desire to filter refugees based on religion, especially aiming to reduce the number of Muslims admitted while increasing those from Christian-majority countries. This plan has not been formally addressed within the government, with coalition partner RKP (Swedish People’s Party) firmly opposing such criteria. RKP member Eva Biaudet emphasized that the party has a clear stance on quota refugees, asserting that Afghan women must be included among those resettled.

Biaudet described the resettlement of refugees from camps as a humanitarian act, stating that it should not depend on an individual’s ease of assistance. In contrast, Joakim Vigelius of the Perussuomalaiset party dismissed the notion that the government is crafting discriminatory policies, instead discussing targeted allocations for helping vulnerable individuals while ensuring successful integration.

Sources indicate that the government plans to bring in about 500 quota refugees this year, a reduction from 1,050 last year. Proposed adjustments are under review by various departments, including the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The issue is expected to be discussed within the Internal Security and Justice working group by late October, with a formal decision regarding next year’s refugee quota to be made in parliament in December as part of the national budget.

This year, refugees are expected to arrive from Afghanistan, the Congo, Syria, Venezuela, and Libya.