Finland's "Slanted Eyes" Scandal: A Deep Dive into Racism Controversy

The controversy surrounding Miss Finland, Sarah Dzafce, erupted after she posted a photo on social media in late November 2025, where she pulled the corners of her eyes back, captioned "eating with a Chinese." This gesture, widely interpreted as mocking East Asian features, sparked outrage across Asia, particularly in China, Japan, and South Korea. Following the backlash, Dzafce was stripped of her Miss Finland title, which she had held for only three months.

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In response to the escalating situation, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo issued a formal apology to the Asian nations affected, stating, "These posts do not reflect Finland's values of equality and inclusion." He emphasized the government's commitment to combating racism and discrimination. The Miss Finland organization also condemned Dzafce's actions, asserting that they were "offensive, harmful and completely against the values" of the pageant.

Times of Malta

The incident drew further controversy when members of the Finns Party, a junior partner in the governing coalition, posted similar images in support of Dzafce. MPs Juho Eerola and Kaisa Garedew, along with European Parliament member Sebastian Tynkkynen, mimicked the slanted-eye gesture, prompting widespread condemnation. Eerola later apologized, stating he felt Dzafce received a "disproportionately harsh punishment," while Garedew refused to apologize, asserting she did not believe she had done anything wrong. Prime Minister Orpo criticized the MPs' actions as "childish," reinforcing the need for elected officials to set a proper example.

The Statesman

This incident is part of a broader pattern of controversial remarks and actions by members of the Finns Party, which has faced scrutiny for racist comments in the past. The party's history of incendiary statements has contributed to a tense political climate in Finland, particularly regarding issues of race and immigration.

Reuters

The backlash from the incident has had tangible effects on Finland's international relations and economy. The national airline, Finnair, reported a significant negative impact on its brand, with calls for a boycott emerging from Asian markets. Additionally, a petition demanding a formal public apology from the MPs involved garnered over 20,000 signatures.

Global Times

While Dzafce claimed the photo was a reaction to a headache and that the caption was added by a friend without her consent, critics questioned the sincerity of her apology, particularly since it was only issued in Finnish. This raised concerns about the effectiveness of her communication with the offended communities.

The Statesman

The Finns Party is set to discuss potential sanctions against the MPs involved in the scandal, as the political fallout continues to unfold. The incident has prompted calls for a nationwide survey on discrimination and the development of guidelines to prevent future occurrences of racial insensitivity.

Finland PM apologizes to Asian countries over racism scandal

• “These posts do not reflect Finland's values of equality and inclusion,” — Petteri Orpo, Prime Minister of Finland

Reuters

• “I am deeply sorry that my photo caused offense to Asian people,” — Juho Eerola, Finnish MP

New York Times

• “This should not have happened.” — Jukka Kopra, National Coalition Party's parliamentary group chairman

Global Times

• “I take responsibility for my actions and will learn from this.” — Sarah Dzafce, Miss Finland

New York Times

The "slanted eyes" scandal has ignited a significant discourse on racism and representation in Finland, highlighting the need for ongoing dialogue and education on these critical issues.

Finland PM apologizes to Asian countries over racism scandal