Perussuomalaiset (Finns Party, PS)

EU RANK: 171 (Tier 4: Low Performance)

Perussuomalaiset is a right-wing populist, nationalist and culturally conservative party with a strong anti-immigration and Eurosceptic profile. Led by Riikka Purra (Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister), it won 20.1% and 46 seats in the 2023 parliamentary election and became a central partner in the Orpo coalition. The party’s electorate is stronger in rural and working-class regions and among voters mobilised by sovereignty, immigration and “anti-elite” frames; it has faced repeated reputational shocks linked to extremist rhetoric scandals within its leadership circle.

Disinformation and alternative media

PS operates Suomen Uutiset, a major party-linked online outlet that notably sits outside JSN self-regulation. The party also leans heavily on social platforms, influencer ecosystems, and decentralised digital mobilisation. Research notes ideological spillovers with fringe environments and contentious relations with parts of legacy media and the public broadcaster. Disinformation/alternative media risk is moderate to high compared with other Finnish parties, driven by the party’s alternative media channel capacity and polarising platform strategy.

Foreign influence and external alignments

While the party is Eurosceptic and nationalist, the provided research does not document direct financial or organisational ties to hostile foreign states. Foreign influence DMI risk is low to moderate (mainly vulnerability/opportunity risk rather than proven linkage).

Media capture, advertising and public service media

PS does not own major commercial media assets, but it uses its party-linked outlet and high-volume digital campaigning as influence tools and routinely frames legacy media and PSB as adversarial. Institutional constraints remain strong, but the party’s communication style increases pressure on journalistic institutions. Media capture/PSB pressure DMI risk is moderate.

Corruption, litigation and institutional integrity

The litigation record shows repeated high-profile legal exposure involving party figures, especially hate-speech/“ethnic agitation” cases, plus notable misconduct cases (assault/harassment conviction; immunity vote blocking prosecution in a major incitement case). This is not “financial corruption” per se, but it signals elevated rule-of-law and institutional integrity stress around rhetoric and accountability. DMI corruption and institutional integrity risk is moderate to high.

Press freedom, harassment and treatment of media

The party’s communications frequently contest legacy media legitimacy, and legal conflicts around investigative reporting/defamation standards have arisen around prominent PS figures. Even when prosecutors drop cases, the pattern increases pressure on journalists and can contribute to harassment dynamics via supporter ecosystems. Press freedom and harassment DMI risk is moderate.

Dimension	Risk level	Short justification
Disinformation & alternative media	Moderate–High	Party-linked outlet outside JSN + polarising platform ecosystem; stronger proximity to fringe dynamics than peers.
Foreign influence & external alignments	Low–Moderate	Eurosceptic posture; no direct hostile-state ties evidenced, but higher vulnerability risk profile than mainstream parties.
Media capture & advertising / PSB control	Moderate	Uses party media + confrontational stance toward legacy media/PSB; institutional constraints still strong.
Corruption & institutional integrity risk	Moderate–High	Repeated litigation involving party figures (hate-speech/incitement, misconduct) signals elevated integrity stress.
Press freedom & harassment of media	Moderate	Pattern of antagonistic media rhetoric + legal disputes around investigative reporting contributes to pressure/harassment risk.