English-language discussions and news relating to Finland and the Finnish culture.
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Wait, what. I understand (and actually even support) language requirement for citizenship, but I thought they left it out from permanent residency. Well, I did until I read the article.
Oh, ffs. As if it wasn't hard enough before that to get foreign students to stay in the country after graduation.
Language requirements absolutely make sense for citizenship. But we shouldn't give high earning professionals a reason to leave and stop paying taxes here. If someone is able to work in English and make a ton of money here, we should absolutely encourage that. Our budget needs more people like that. The security of permanent residency makes it far more likely that they will stay.
Making English the second major official language instead of Swedish would solve this :)
So are they sanitized fascists like the rest of the Scandivanian far right?
I would say no. Just populists out of touch with reality and pandering to xenophobia.
Seems at least that they are comfortable standing next to them - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finns_Party#Controversies
But at least I don't see them been actual fascists who decided to wear masks, like Sverigedemokraterna and Dansk Folkeparti.
The Finns Party is "not racist, but #1 among racists."
9 out of 10 racists recommend the Finns Party!
This is a good way to put it. Basic finns are the party that panders heavily to those who hate immigrants and minorities. Their politics do go beyond that however. For example bringing down the price of gas.
Our actual fascists are Sinimusta Liike. Here's a campaign flyer of theirs from this spring:
Gross.