Finnish parliament approves controversial ‘Turnback Law’, amid reports of tension within Social Democratic Party

The so-called ‘Turnback Law’, officially known as the Border Security Law, was approved on Friday in the Finnish Parliament with a vote of 167-31. The law was declared urgent and was approved by the same number of votes. The Social Democratic Party (SDP) allowed six of its Parliament members to vote against the law. Nasima Razmyar, Krista Kiuru, Matias Mäkynen, Timo Harakka, Elisa Gebhard, and Johan Kvarnström were the only members of the SDP who voted against the law.

There have been reports of a tense atmosphere within the party’s parliamentary group, particularly towards those who opposed the law. The group’s chairman, Tytti Tuppurainen, commented that the situation has been charged, as there are strong feelings about the law on both sides. She emphasized her role as the group chairman in ensuring that all members can freely and safely make their own decisions.

Sources claim that there were more than nine members of the group who opposed the law, but the group’s leadership silenced the dissenting voices. The members were allegedly pressured out of fear of losing their current or future positions or having difficulty being part of the group.

Criticism within the SDP has also been directed at the party chairman, Antti Lindtman. Several sources claim that Lindtman pushed the law through the group forcibly. However, Lindtman denied these allegations, insisting that all party representatives had complete freedom to form their own opinions. Lindtman and Tuppurainen again denied these claims after an SDP group meeting. Lindtman denied that the group had pre-decided how many permissions would be granted to vote against the Turnback Law.

Despite the tense atmosphere, Tuppurainen stated that the SDP parliamentary group has discussed their stance on the law in 18 different meetings, asserting that the process has been challenging. She denied any claims of pressure or blacklisting within the party, emphasizing that differing opinions are not only allowed but encouraged. Lindtman agreed, stating that there is no division within the party. Other party representatives also denied claims of a tense atmosphere within the group.