Finns Party bid would end Pori’s Pride flag displays

The Finns Party’s city council group in Pori wants to restrict the city’s flag-flying policy, a change that would end its Pride flag displays. Yle reports that the group has proposed allowing flags only on official flag days, at state events and on national or local celebration and commemorative days set in advance.

The proposal also says no social organisation, movement or ideology should be given the right to fly its flag on a city flagpole. The group did not name any particular movement in its initiative.

“The city’s task is to serve all its residents, regardless of their political views, beliefs or personal values,” the Finns Party councillors in Pori wrote.

If adopted, the proposal would stop the city flying the rainbow flag for Pride. Last August, flags were flown for Pori Pride Day at Town Hall Park, the market square, outside the library, at the Satakunta Museum and at the Pori Art Museum.

Similar policies have been considered elsewhere in Finland. Last week, Kouvola decided that the city’s flagpoles would no longer fly Pride flags or sports club flags. In February, the municipality of Eurajoki decided not to mark the day for sexual minorities with rainbow flags, but to fly the Finnish flag instead. Kuntaliitto told Yle in January that flying the Finnish flag on Pride Day was not common, but said it had no exact figures.