Hundreds hold anti-EU rally in Helsinki

Hundreds of people held a demonstration in front of the Parliament Building in Helsinki on Saturday afternoon calling for Finland to leave the EU (”Suomi eroonEUsta, Eroa halitus,” said the police.

The demonstrators backed by the main opposition Perussuomalaiset (Finns Party) also demanded resignation of the five-party alliance government during the rally.

The gathering took place ignoring the restrictions of the limit of 20 people recommended by the regional council to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

Perussuomalaiset lawmaker of the European Parliament Laura Huhtasaari, her party colleague Mauri Peltokangas, MP, and former party member AnoTurtiainen addressed the rally, among others, reported the national broadcaster Yle.

The Helsinki police said that the demonstrators did not properly follow the safety instructions issued by the Regional State Administrative Agency for the Helsinki Metropolitan Area during the rally.

The police, however, said that the latest restriction on all public events and meetings of more than 10 people will be effective from Monday.