“If we want to keep the country united against all external threats, including Russian threats, it is very important that we can handle these types of topics nationally because otherwise these are misused against us and all kinds of provocations can appear. It’s important that we grow in tolerance as Finns,” Pekka Haavisto says.
The election of the next Finnish president, taking place against a backdrop of escalating geopolitical drama on the country’s border with Russia, is seen as crucial to Finland’s future direction. The head of state and commander-in-chief of the army is responsible for foreign policy, in cooperation with the government, and represents Finland at Nato summits, as well as in meetings with international leaders.
There are different conceptions of free speech, and an absolutist approach simply doesnt work. It gets abused by bad faith actors. Contrary to shouting idiots on the internet, you can be for free speech and think hate speech should be punishable by law.
I think especially americans should learn from the history of other countries and their approach to that topic.