The straw poll conducted by STT gives strong support for banning new tourist visas for Russian citizens.
The agency asked the leaders of the largest parliamentary delegations whether Finland should stop issuing tourist visas to Russian citizens due to the country’s invasion of Ukraine, which is now in its sixth month.
The leaders of each of the four largest parties – the Prime Minister’s SDP, the Coalition, the Fundamental Finns and the Center – announced that they support an immediate end to issuing visas. The SDP and the center are the main government parties, while the other two are the main opposition groups.
Antti LindtmanThe chairman of the SDP’s 40-member delegation said that the government had good reason to urgently investigate the restriction of tourist visas.
Hyrkkö: Inform the arrivals about the facts of the war
In the meantime, Yle interviewed four members of the Foreign Affairs Committee who represented SDP, NCP, the Center and the Greens. All but one agree that Russian tourist visas should be limited or suspended.
The lone dissenter was a social democratic MP Kimmo Kiljunen. He considered that Finns and Russians should be allowed to maintain ties on a personal level.
"By isolating [Russian citizens], we would strengthen the survival of the current regime in Russia… efforts should definitely be made to increase civil society interaction at all levels. This brings changes," said Kiljunen.
MP Saara Hyrkko The Greens, on the other hand, suggested that Russian arrivals should be systematically informed about the facts of the war in Ukraine, including the atrocities committed in Russian-controlled areas.
NCP: It is “morally wrong” to allow Russians to travel to Finland
The NCP’s parliamentary group issued a statement on Monday calling for a ban on tourist visas for Russian citizens, claiming that "it is morally wrong that we allow Russians to travel to Finland while Russia is waging its brutal war of destruction in Ukraine".
The NCP proposed allowing exemptions for those based on medical treatment, close relatives or individuals with assets such as real estate in Finland. It stated that dissidents or those fleeing Russia for other reasons can still apply for international protection.
The 37-seat NCP became the second largest opposition party in the parliament last month after the MP resigned. Will Rydman. The National Party has 38 seats and the center has 31 seats.
The Parliament is scheduled to meet again at the beginning of September.
Source: The Nordic Page