Homophobic comments directed at the speaker of parliament, Eero Heinäluoma, have led to the expulsion of Jyväskylä city councillor Juhani Starczewski from his party, the Christian Democrats.
In an online discussion on the local Keskisuomalainen paper’s website, Starczewski had suggested that the recent death of SDP MP Heinäluoma’s wife from a rapidly-progressing illness could be linked to the couple’s positive views on homosexuality.
“Those views represent neither the local branch nor the party as a whole,” said local party chair Rami Sipilä. “This is against the party’s ethics.”
The party will now bring disciplinary proceedings against Starczewski. The local branch has apologised for his comments and expressed condolences to Heinäluoma.
