Finnish parliament session disrupted by protesters during deportation law debate
Protesters interrupted a parliamentary session in the Finnish Parliament on Friday afternoon, during a discussion about a deportation law. The lawmakers were set to vote on declaring the law urgent after the debate. The disruption began just before MP Pekka Haavisto (Green Party) was due to speak.
The protesters shouted, “Lawmakers, the people are speaking now,” causing the Speaker, Jussi Halla-aho (Finns Party), to call for their removal from the gallery. “I ask that the individuals causing the disturbance be removed from the gallery,” Halla-aho said.
As they were being escorted out, the protesters continued shouting, repeatedly urging the lawmakers to “Vote in favor of your values.” They also said, “If Finland destroys the rule of law, Russia’s hybrid influence has succeeded,” and “No person is illegal.”
The protesters were removed from the hall and the session resumed with Haavisto’s speech.