The migrant crisis was one of the underlying themes of the speech, as Niinistö contemplated its repercussions for Finland and urged the public to restrain from extreme acts.

“I will refer to an old saying that has not lost its topicality: when in Rome, do as the Romans do. Immigration can never mean that our core values – democracy, equality and human rights – are questioned,” President Sauli Niinistö stated in his New Year's Speech.

“I am an old-school lawyer. Throwing a petrol bomb into a building with people inside used to be called arson and that is what it remains in my mind; a serious offence – as is the persecution of refugees or incitement to hatred. We have witnessed too much of that,” Niinistö said.

“Not all of the arrivals are here with good intentions. Some come from a terrorist background and others have committed other bad deeds. The backgrounds and deeds of a select few arouse unwarranted misgivings about all immigrants,” he continued.

The President urged authorities to report about such deeds and their consequences openly, regardless of whether the perpetrator was an immigrant or native-born Finn. “This will help contain rising emotions and shoot down the wildest rumours,” he explained.

Finns, he affirmed, are not generally attracted to extreme ideas.

Niinistö estimated that the migrant crisis has taken Europe by surprise, despite the fact that people have been crossing the Mediterranean Sea in makeshift boats for years.

He also mulled over the motives of the migrants and the ability of the destination countries to welcome all of the arrivals. “While some are fleeing danger, others are seeking a better life – both of these are natural, human motives. Another factor underlying the displacement of people is exploitation, which can even be utilised as a means of power politics,” he analysed.

“The world is home to untold numbers of people who would like to come here, but our capacity to take care of them is limited. I believe [Stefan] Löfven, the Swedish Prime Minister, hit the nail on the head by saying that we have been too naive. Sweden, similarly to many other countries, has tightened its immigration laws. I have interpreted the decisions of the Finnish Government as an attempt to secure resources to help those in most need. We are therefore only able to help those arriving because of persecution.”

Niinistö ended his speech on a positive note.

“There are plenty of problems, but also plenty to take comfort in: for example, the increasing willingness to help. Volunteering among asylum seekers or helping your loved ones on a daily basis – this is what will lift the spirits of those receiving help and those helping as well as benefit each and everyone of us!” he said.

The President also expressed his support for the attempts to improve the price competitiveness of domestic industries.

Aleksi Teivainen – HT

Photo: Vesa Moilanen / Lehtikuva

Source: Uusi Suomi