Study: True Finns condone violence

According to an international study into extremist groups, some True Finn members condone political violence. This is part of a Europe-wide study on the rise of populist sentiment and seems to be a far-reaching phenomenon. The study mentions specifically internet sites which condone hatred and promote violence, without mention of blogger and popular racist Jussi Halla-aho's webforum Homma. Shockingly, the study was conducted after the Oslo massacre in which a radical racist targeted leftist politicians, leaving 77 dead.

Matti Putkonen, rapist, violent criminal, True Finn campaign manager

The study was swiftly condemned by the True Finns' campaign manager, Matti Putkonen. Putkonen is of course remembered as a violent criminal, having been convicted of aggravated rape to an eight-month custodial sentence. He also had to pay a €10,000 fine, presumably to cover medical harm. Speaking at a live radio show, Putkonen called for the female chief of staff at the Ministry of Interior who published the study to resign, and said that the True Finn party does not condone violence. Thankfully, things did not escalate further this time as mr Putkonen was safely at the other end of the telephone line.

Matti Putkonen, rapist and habitual political opportunist is probably the best example of the True Finn hypocrisy when it comes to their value base. Former member of the Social Democratic party, former media rep for a labour union, Putkonen grabbed at the chance to jump ship just as soon as the polls showed a double-figure rise in support for the True Finn party. In a civilised society he would be on some kind of a registry already, and barred from holding a political office.

True Finns now the second largest party in Finland, TNS Gallup

According to the pollster JNS Gallup for Helsingin Sanomat last thursday, the True Finns are the second most popular party at 18,4% after National Coalition. This is due to the Finnish people wanting change to the horrible conditions that the Finns are currently suffering.

Matti "Rape Rape" Putkonen was quick to comment that this is no mere poll blip, in spite of 4 most popular parties' support fitting inside the margin of error, but instead a bona fide tsunami of support, wreaking havoc to the Finnish political scene well into the future. "Our candidates are extremely committed to foot work and are campaigning as their true selves."

Seriously Finland if you do this, I'm going to stay in the UK for the next four years.

True Finns' campaign manager - a convicted rapist

A word about the True Finns' campaign manager, Matti Putkonen. He was convicted of rape in the first degree in 2005 while employed as Metalliliitto's (Finnish metal workers' union) head of communications. Putkonen was ordered to serve 8 months in prison and to pay his victim €10,000 in damages. This in a country known for its leniency towards sex offenders. The trial was held in secret,  but considering the severity of his sentence it is likely his victim suffered considerable physical harm. This happened five years ago.

I won't call it ironic that a populist party like the True Finns, most voters of which will froth at the mouth raging against the light sentences handed out for rape in Finland, should have a convicted rapist as its campaign manager. It would be ironic if they didn't know about his sentence (which made headlines at the time). No, this is just hypocrisy at its finest. That is of course unless mr Putkonen is willing to listen to the TF-voters and get castrated like a sex offender apparently should.