Image: Mikko Stig / Lehtikuva

Finnish veteran politician Paavo Väyrynen of the Centre Party has established a citizens' initiative petition calling for a referendum in Finland on the country remaining in the Eurozone, following the touch-and-go Grexit situation.

In a single day the petition has gathered more than 15,000 signatories who are all in favour of voting on whether Finland should retain the euro as its currency.

If Väyrynen's appeal for a referendum gains at least 50,000 signatures, the motion would have to be addressed in Parliament under Finnish law. So far the only successful citizens' initiative in Finland has been the same sex marriage act, which President Niinistö passed in February.

Väyrynen says that, based on his 15 years of political experience, Finland joining the euro was a mistake that must be corrected.