Lawmakers shared photos of themselves with slanted eyes in protest of the punishment Miss Finland received over a similar picture

Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo has apologized to people in Asia after several politicians, including members of his governing coalition, posted photos of themselves with slanted eyes.

The scandal began in November, after 22-year-old beauty queen Sarah Dzafce was stripped of her Miss Finland title over a photo in which she was seen pulling up the corners of her eyes - a gesture widely regarded as mocking Asians. Critics of the decision say the punishment was excessive and have responded by posting similar images in protest.

Among those who shared such self-portraits were lawmakers from the right-wing Finns Party (PS), including Kaisa Garedew, Juho Eerola, and Sebastian Tynkkynen.

Orpo heads a four-party coalition government in which the PS controls ten cabinet posts, including the position of deputy prime minister. In a statement circulated by Finnish embassies in China, Japan, and South Korea on Wednesday, Orpo said the posts "do not reflect Finland's values of equality and inclusion." He added that his government "takes racism seriously and is committed to combatting the issue."

The rise in influence of right-wing political parties across Europe has been linked to government policies encouraging mass migration from other regions. Many EU governments tend to dismiss public fears about the loss of national identity, rising crime, and labor market disruption, branding them unfounded or unacceptable. However, critics argue that this stance is contributing to the radicalization of segments of society, as well as rising xenophobia.