17 Facts About Riikka Purra

Riikka Purra is a member of the Parliament of Finland for the Finns Party for the Uusimaa constituency.

In 2016, Purra joined the Finns Party as a political planner.

Riikka Purra served as a campaign manager for the presidential candidate Laura Huhtasaari in the 2018 Finnish presidential election.

In July 2021, Riikka Purra announced she would be running for the Finns Party leadership, aiming to become the first woman to lead the party.

Riikka Purra declared that the party would never participate in a government where it would not be able to significantly change Finnish immigration policy.

Riikka Purra was elected leader of the party on 14 August 2021, at the party meeting in Seinajoki.

Riikka Purra says that she wants to fight "harmful" immigration from developing countries and is in favour of a policy of economic austerity.

On 5 July 2023, Riikka Purra announced the nomination of Wille Rydman as the new Minister of Economic Affairs.

Riikka Purra originally refused to confirm whether she was behind the nickname and said that she had no intention of resigning or regretting her past actions.

However, after the comments were condemned by some representatives from the ruling parties and President Sauli Niinisto had called for the government to adopt a clear zero-tolerance stance on racism, Riikka Purra apologized for the comments.

Riikka Purra stated that some of the expressions used were inside humor.

Riikka Purra highlighted that the controversies surrounding ministers in Orpo's recent government, involving racism and far-right connections, offer a compelling narrative for international media.

In contrast, Riikka Purra received strong support from her party and Prime Minister Orpo.

Riikka Purra is a good person, a good minister, and a strong and capable leader.

Riikka Purra became interested in immigration policy when she read Jussi Halla-aho's blog Scripta and participated in discussions on Internet forums.

Riikka Purra has a Master's degree in political science and she has dropped her PhD studies on international politics at the University of Turku.

Riikka Purra worked as a teacher and researcher before entering politics.