'Strange': Finnish Foreign Minister Grilled Over Partaking in Pro-Life March

Timo Soini was found out to have taken part in a pro-life rally in Canada earlier in May, triggering a major political scandal in Finland, the Finnish daily Hufvudstadsbladet reported.

The news of Soini taking part in a demonstration against abortion while on an official visit to Ottawa, Canada on May 10 came only a few days after the foreign minister voiced his disappointment with the outcome of the abortion referendum in Ireland. Soini's state secretary Samuli Virtanen tweeted a photograph of himself and Soini participating in the National March for Life in Ottawa.

​Many Finnish politicians found Soini's stance to be a contradiction of Finland's official line and therefore totally inappropriate. Former Greens leader Ville Niinistö has argued that Soini demonstrated a lack of discretion by participating in a pro-life rally during an official visit.

"It is absolutely inappropriate," Niinistö wrote on Facebook. "Finnish foreign policy seeks to promote equality and women's rights," he clarified, demanding an explanation from Soini.

Family Minister Annika Saarikko of the Center Party called abortion an "example of responsible equality and human rights policy making." According to her, Finland is not intent on compromising this principle.

READ MORE: 'Death Culture': Finnish Minister in Hot Water for Mourning Irish Abortion Vote

Finnish President Sauli Niinistö said he considered Foreign Minister Timo Soini's public voicing of an anti-abortion sentiment abroad to be "strange".

"In some situations, a minister can perhaps be considered to be a private individual in their free time, but expressing opinions is another matter," Niinistö told the weekly newspaper Talouselämä. "It isn't just a private person talking if a minister takes a stand on a subject that is relevant and debated in the country they are visiting."

Interior Minister Kai Mykkänen and Development Minister Anne-Mari Virolainen, both representing the National Coalition Party, assured Soini's take didn't represent Finland's line.

Soini himself has rejected the criticism, stressing that he attended the rally as a private individual, rather than foreign minister. He also reiterated his anti-abortion sentiment in his blog by calling it "odd" having to "defend the right to defend life."

"I participated in a night vigil that started at 9pm. I was off-duty when the event was held. It's absolutely clear that everyone has the right to an opinion and the freedom of religion," Soini, a rare Catholic in predominantly Lutheran Finland, told the newspaper Helsingin Sanomat.

The anti-abortion rally March for Life gathered 15,000 people in Ottawa. The event reportedly featured candlelight vigils and group prayers for the souls of aborted fetuses.