Jyväskylä Christian Democrats voted to expel councilor Juhani Starczewski from the party group and also stripped him of party membership following his comments on the death of the wife of parliamentary speaker Eero Heinäluoma. The leadership of the local party group said its decision was in line with article six of the party’s rules.
“Starczewski has acted in a completely inappropriate manner in making his public statements, especially with respect to his writings about parliamentary speaker Eero Heinäluoma,” the party group said in a statement.
In a discussion group hosted by the regional paper Keskisuomalainen, Starczewski linked Heinäluoma’s wife’s illness to the speaker’s favourable position on gender-neutral marriage legislation.
The party’s Jyväskylä chapter declared that Starczewski’s actions contravened its ethical rules, were inappropriate and offensive towards others and also seriously damaged the Christian Democrats’ public image.
The local party group distanced itself from the councillor’s comments, saying that they do not represent the views of the party. Party group members also apologised for the rogue councillor’s actions and extended condolences to speaker Heinäluoma for his loss.
Heinäluoma's wife passed away last week after a sudden illness.
