Riikka Purra faces criticism over social media response to user

Finnish Finance Minister Riikka Purra has faced criticism following a social media interaction regarding a green smoothie recipe she shared on Facebook. After Purra posted a video describing the smoothie as a ‘nutritional bomb’ to prepare for upcoming budget negotiations and parliamentary sessions, some users commented on the cost of such food, suggesting that those in poverty struggle to afford even bread.

Purra responded to one critic by stating, ‘Okay. You can drink it instead of that Minttuviina [peppermint liqueur].’ She also defended herself against accusations of boasting, noting that she was simply sharing healthy food and that followers are not obligated to watch her content. She compared her posts to other ministers who share images of champagne dinners.

Pinja Perholehto, the Vice Chair of the Social Democratic Party, criticized the Minister’s response, describing it as ‘grotesque.’ Perholehto argued that the issue was not the smoothie itself, but how a person in power responds to citizens expressing financial hardship, suggesting the remark about alcohol reflects a dismissive attitude toward low-income individuals.