Democracy must be defended wherever it is under threat: Niinistö

President Sauli Niinistö on Thursday vowed to continue Finland´s role to supporting democracy nationally and internationally.

“Democracy must be promoted wherever it is gaining a foothold. Democracy must be defended wherever it is under threat,” said Niinistö at the Summit for Democracy.

He emphasised to the importance of the multilateral system in promoting democracy.

“As a member of the Human Rights Council, and with central roles in the Freedom Online Coalition and the General Equality Campaign, we will do our best to protect human rights, to promote media freedom and fight disinformation, and to make technology inclusive,” said the President.

He also assured to further strengthen the Finnish system from representation to participation, from transparency to inclusion.

“We also recognize that democracy is never complete, not in Finland, not anywhere else. Therefore, through the National Democracy Programme 2025, we aim to further strengthen our own system,” he said.

The President highlighted high ranks of Finland in every global index related to democracy saying that Finland’s democracy is built on a stable representative political system, well-functioning local governance, vibrant civil society, and low levels of corruption.

“We take pride in being among the first countries to grant women the right to vote and stand in elections, more than a hundred years ago. That laid the basis for gender equality in our society,” said Niinistö.

“Our own experience demonstrates that democratic institutions, respect for human rights, and the principle of the rule of law, are the cornerstones for peace and development,” he added.