Former Finns Party member Anna Koskela joins Centre Party in Oulu after controversy

In downtown Oulu, there’s hope that Anna Koskela, who was dismissed from the Finns Party due to a racist post, has learned from her mistakes. Koskela expressed regret for the text she published a year ago. The former Oulu regional and city councilor, who was expelled from the Finns Party last year, announced that she has joined the Centre Party and intends to become part of their council group. Additionally, she has been nominated as a municipal election candidate for the upcoming elections.

Koskela’s removal from the Finns Party followed her controversial Facebook post regarding men from “underdeveloped countries.” Risto Päkkilä, the chair of the Centre Party’s council group, stated that they have discussed the matter openly with Koskela. “Our group by no means accepts such statements. We believe in the inherent dignity of every individual; it is indivisible,” he remarked. According to Päkkilä, discussions have also covered party values, and Koskela has committed to embracing these principles.

Koskela has been serving as an independent member of the Oulu city council for the past year, calling the experience educational. She emphasizes the importance of being part of a party to influence issues effectively, stating that working alone has taught her a great deal.

Moving forward, Koskela reassures her commitment to her new party and its values, asserting the importance of fully engaging with one’s political affiliation rather than remaining independent. While she prefers not to revisit her past post, she admits to regretting it and acknowledges the consequences it brought. “I’m not proud of it. I wouldn’t do that again. I would act differently,” she concluded.