Segregation | SDP's immigration line shifts between Swedish and Danish Democrats

The Social Democratic Party of Finland (SDP) is shifting towards a more stringent approach concerning immigration, societal segregation, and the safety of young people. The party unveiled its new policy direction, titled "A Safe Everyday Life for Youth," during a summer meeting in Kouvola.

Party leaders, including parliamentary group chair Tytti Tuppurainen and party secretary Mikkel Näkkäläjärvi, revealed they have been in close contact with their Swedish counterparts to understand how to prevent Finland from following a similar path. They specifically referenced Sweden's challenges with segregation in large residential areas, the spread of organized crime, and the exploitation of youth.

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Teachers must also have job security and the certainty that they can ensure the safety of other children in the classroom.

The SDP is also looking at Denmark's Social Democrats, known for their firm policies on crime and immigration. However, Tuppurainen denied that the Finnish party is directly copying Denmark's approach, emphasizing that the SDP remains committed to opposing fear-mongering around immigration. Deputy party leader Nasima Razmyar suggested Finland could find a "humane middle ground" between the Swedish and Danish models, noting that Sweden has "ignored problems and hoped they would disappear," which only exacerbates them.

Proposed measures include strengthening teachers' authority, granting them the power to exclude students from class for three to five days. "Teachers must also have job security and the certainty that they can ensure the safety of other children in the classroom," stated MP Niina Malm. The party also aims to legally clarify that punishments assigned by teachers are part of compulsory education and that teachers can physically restrain or detain students when necessary. Malm criticized some recent changes in Finnish schools, such as open learning spaces that disrupt education, and suggested reducing their prevalence. The SDP also wants to tighten rules on mandatory participation in school activities, allowing exemptions only for health reasons, not parental requests, particularly concerning swimming lessons.

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Sweden has ignored problems and hoped they would disappear, but this is not how it works; they multiply [if nothing is done].