Finland's Racism Scandal: A Prime Minister's Apology and the Fallout from a Beauty Queen's Post

In December 2025, Finland found itself at the center of an international controversy that required diplomatic intervention from its highest office. Prime Minister Petteri Orpo issued formal apologies to several Asian nations after racist imagery shared by a former beauty queen and mimicked by members of his governing coalition sparked widespread condemnation. This incident highlights the persistent challenges of racism in public discourse and the delicate balance political leaders must maintain when coalition partners engage in harmful behavior.

The Origins of the Scandal

The controversy began earlier in December when Sarah Dzafce, the 22-year-old former Miss Finland winner, posted an image on social media showing herself pulling back her eyes alongside the caption "eating with a Chinese person." This gesture, widely recognized as a racist caricature mocking people of Asian descent, immediately drew criticism. The Miss Finland organization responded decisively, stripping Dzafce of her title days later. In their statement, the organization declared the content "offensive, harmful, and completely against the values of the Miss Finland competition," and expressed deep regret for the harm caused, particularly to the Asian community.

Political Escalation and Government Response

The situation escalated from a pageant controversy to a political crisis when members of the Finns Party—the right-wing populist movement within Finland's four-party governing coalition—publicly supported Dzafce's actions. Two members of the Finnish parliament, Juho Eerola and Kaisa Garedew, along with European Parliament member Sebastian Tynkkynen, posted similar images of themselves pulling back their eyes in what they presented as solidarity with the former beauty queen.

Prime Minister Orpo moved quickly to contain the diplomatic fallout. Through Finnish embassies in China, Japan, and South Korea, he released an apology stating, "These posts do not reflect Finland's values of equality and inclusion." He further emphasized that "the government takes racism seriously and is committed to combatting the issue." This official repudiation served to distance the government's position from the actions of individual coalition members.

Party Discipline and Historical Context

The Finns Party leadership responded with internal discipline. Party leader Jani Mäkelä told the Finnish Broadcasting Company that the matter had been "discussed seriously within the parliamentary group" and concluded that "the images should not have been published." The MPs involved received "a serious warning from the group" with assurances that such behavior would not recur. This incident was not isolated within the coalition's history. Shortly after taking office in 2023, Orpo's government faced a no-confidence vote over racist online posts and statements made by several Finns Party cabinet members, indicating a pattern of behavior that continues to challenge the coalition's stability.

Broader Implications and Conclusion

The Miss Finland scandal occurred against the backdrop of a troubled year for the broader Miss Universe organization, which faced walkouts and rigging allegations during its Thailand pageant. However, the political ramifications in Finland carried particular significance, testing the government's commitment to anti-racism amid coalition politics. The incident demonstrates how social media missteps by public figures can rapidly escalate into international diplomatic incidents requiring official state apologies. It also underscores the ongoing tension between populist political movements and mainstream values in contemporary European politics. As Finland works to repair its international relationships, this episode serves as a cautionary tale about the intersection of celebrity culture, political responsibility, and racial sensitivity in the digital age.