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Finland: unusually open atmosphere
At the port of Vaasa we were met with a warm reception, in spite of the late hour at which we arrived. Many activists came to meet us and accompany us along the two kilometres leading to the hostel. The first interview, for the local TV news, took place in the parking lot. Compared to Sweden, our travel schedule in Finland could only be described as “relaxed”: four cities in four days, with only 1000 km between them. The first day, we were in Turku; that evening, the inflatable constitution was again shown on a local TV program.
Meeting with the Prime Minister
The next day, we even met the prime minister. It happened like this: we were standing in a marketplace in Tampere, where the Prime Minister happened to have had a meeting the same day. The Prime Minister himself spoke to the citizens, without the usual contingent of security forces that we’ve come to expect in most of Europe. The chic, eye-catching waistcoats of the Finnish Democracy Network attracted his attention and we exchanged a few words. Unfortunately, he didn’t want a referendum…
Democracy Day at the Parliament in Helsinki
Our day at the Finnish Parliament in Helsinki was outstanding. The bus and the inflatable constitution stood directly before the steps of the Parliament. Representatives from every party presented their positions on the question of a referendum, even those that were opposed to it. The governing Social Democrats also expressed their opposition to a referendum. However, the idea enjoyed considerable support in Parliament. In part because of the success of other ERC campaigns elsewhere, a team surrounding representative Heidi Hautala is continuing to fight for a referendum. There will be a non-partisan initiative. If Sweden were to decide for a referendum, anything would be possible here in Finland.
My memories of Finland are marked by the endless straight roads, which do not curve even as they approach the horizon. I also encountered a very open political culture, which I have never experienced in any other country.
Finland
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