The four largest parliamentary groups say that Finland should stop issuing new visas to Russian tourists.
A straw poll carried out by the Finnish News Agency STT suggests strong backing for a ban on new tourist visas for Russian citizens.
The agency asked the leaders of the largest parliamentary delegations whether Finland should stop issuing tourist visas for Russian citizens due to the country's attack on Ukraine, now in its sixth month.
Leaders of each of the four largest parties – the prime minister's SDP, the National Coalition (NCP), the Finns Party and the Centre – said they would back an immediate halt to issuing visas. The SDP and Centre are the main government parties while the other two are the main opposition blocs.
Antti Lindtman, chair of the 40-member SDP delegation, said that there was good reason for the government to urgently look into restricting tourist visas.
Hyrkkö: Inform arrivals about facts of war
Yle meanwhile interviewed four members of the Foreign Affairs Committee, representing the SDP, the NCP, Centre and the Greens. All but one agreed that Russian tourist visas should be limited or suspended.
The lone dissenter was Social Democratic MP Kimmo Kiljunen. He argued that Finns and Russians should be allowed to maintain ties on the personal level.
"By isolating [Russian citizens], we would reinforce the survival of Russia's current regime… efforts should definitely be made at all levels to increase the interaction of civil societies. This will bring about changes," said Kiljunen.
MP Saara Hyrkkö of the Greens, meanwhile, suggested that Russian arrivals should be systematically informed of the facts of the war in Ukraine, including atrocities carried out in Russian-controlled areas.
NCP: "Morally wrong" to allow Russians to travel in Finland
The NCP parliamentary group issued a statement on Monday calling for a ban on tourist visas for Russian citizens, arguing that "it is morally wrong that we allow Russians to travel in Finland while at the same time Russia is waging its brutal war of destruction in Ukraine".
The NCP proposed allowing exceptions for those based on medical treatments, visits to close relatives or private individuals who have assets such as real estate in Finland. It noted that dissidents or those fleeing Russia for other reasons could still apply for international protection.
The 37-seat NCP last month became the second-largest opposition party in the legislature due to the resignation of MP Wille Rydman. The nationalist Finns Party hold 38 seats, while the Centre have 31.
einimea on July 26th, 2022 at 04:16 UTC »
They were talking that it wouldn't apply to people who have family here or who own cottages or something.
I guess they're worried of random people who avoid sanctions by buying stuff from here (like already existing cheese smuglers).
SashaRPG on July 25th, 2022 at 23:15 UTC »
Huge deal, residents of Saint Petersburg will finally feel consequences of the Russian aggression.
Curious-Mind_2525 on July 25th, 2022 at 22:57 UTC »
Finns really don't like Russians as much as Russians think Finns like them. My aunt married a Finn many years ago. He had not a kind word to say about Russians in general.