Clash Erupts in Finnish Parliament over Bulgarian, Romanian Roma Beggars

Comments about foreign Roma beggars by Finns' Party MP Jussi Halla-aho (pictuered) sparked a sharp response from European Affairs Minister Alexander Stubb. Photo by YLE News

A verbal clash took place in Finland's parliament between a nationalist MP and the country's European Affairs Minister Alexander Stubb regarding Bulgarian and Romanian Roma beggars.

Jussi Halla-aho, an MP with the Finns party (formerly translated as the "True Finns") issued a demand on Thursday that the government take action to sweep the phenomenon of begging from Finland's streets. He pointed out that the Roma beggars' activity includes features of human trafficking and organized crime

Halla-aho's demand prompted a sharp response from Stubb, who represents the National Coalition Party.

"We are on the verge of an attempt to label an entire people," he pointed out, as cited by YLE.

Christian Democratic Interior Minister P?ivi R?s?nen pledged an examination of whether or not organizing begging should be made a criminal offense.

In recent years, Finnish cities have seen an influx of itinerant Roma, mainly from Romania and Bulgaria, many of who beg on the streets.

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