There is a zero-tolerance policy regarding sexual offenses in Finland.
Three members of parliament from the Social Democratic Party – Kim Berg, Jani Kokko, and Marko Asell – have engaged in inappropriate behavior towards parliamentary assistants. According to Yle, the incidents occurred during the SDP faction's summer meeting in Vantaa in 2023. Some instances also took place at a pre-Christmas party in 2025.
The harassment cases within the SDP faction became known after party member Ville Merinen spoke about them in Yle's new documentary project Vallan Algoritmi.
According to Helsingin Sanomat, in November at a karaoke bar party, Asell touched a party staff member in a way that was perceived as harassment. Ilta-Sanomat reports that Berg asked several female staff members at one event whether they had experienced harassment and if they would like to experience something similar. Additionally, eyewitnesses stated that Kokko loudly discussed that one of the assistants belongs to the LGBT community. At that time, this information was not known to the public.
Kim Berg publicly apologized on Facebook.
– I apologize for possibly offending someone with my thoughtless words. I will learn from this.
In a conversation with Yle, he denied the allegations.
On Thursday evening, Marko Asell posted on Instagram, apologizing for his behavior.
– In some situations, I behaved inappropriately and made unsuccessful jokes. I sincerely regret it, – Asell wrote.
In a conversation with Ilta-Sanomat, Jani Kokko admitted that he made several unfortunate comments. The next day, he apologized to the assistant.
According to Tytti Tuppurainen, chair of the SDP parliamentary faction, all three cases were addressed in the faction's office, and discussions were held with the victims. She reported that she had a "very serious conversation" with Marko Asell and emphasized that such behavior is unacceptable. Asell promised that it would not happen again.
The party leadership was previously unaware of the incidents. Only the faction's secretary general, Rami Lindström, was aware, who explained that by law, the office cannot pass on information even to the political leadership.
On Friday, the SDP leadership gathered in Helsinki to discuss the incidents. Party chair Antti Lindtman emphasized that there is a zero-tolerance policy regarding harassment.
– This will not go unnoticed – an independent investigation will be conducted, – he stated. Conclusions will be made after the investigation is completed.
The meeting also included vice chairs Nasima Razmyar and Matias Mäkinen, as well as chair of the parliamentary faction Tytti Tuppurainen. She noted that an investigation is necessary as some harassment cases may remain unknown.
