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Finland collecting signatures for referendum on leaving EU

The petition is authored by Sebastian Tynkkynen, who heads a youth organization of the True Finns party. He said Finland needs a similar referendum as the country could become "free"

© EPA/MAURITZ ANTIN

HELSINKI, June 25. /TASS/. Finland has started collecting signatures for a petition demanding to hold a referendum on leaving the European Union and some 10,000 people have already signed the document, the Yle TV company has reported.

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Top Russian lawmaker says Brexit may reshape whole world

The petition is authored by Sebastian Tynkkynen, who heads a youth organization of the True Finns party, which is in the ruling coalition and considered as Eurosceptic.

Some 3,500 people signed the petition on Friday shortly after the results of the referendum in the United Kingdom were announced.

Tynkkynen said Finland needs a similar referendum as the country could become "free." "The EU only causes chaos in Europe," he said. The politician has proposed holding the referendum in December 2017.

A similar initiative was launched in Finland in 2013. Some 30,000 people signed the petition, with at least 50,000 signatures needed for a document to be considered by the parliament.

Read also

Brexit vote shakes Europe, prompts British PM Cameron to resign

The referendum in the UK on Thursday brought victory to the ‘leave’ camp, which received 51.9% of votes. The number of those who voted against Brexit was 48.1%

The results of the plebiscite are no legally binding and can be reviewed by parliament, which may agree or disagree with the popular opinion. Also, the authorities have an opportunity to organize a new referendum.

However, Prime Minister David Cameron said on Friday the government will honor the wish of the British people who opted for a withdrawal from the EU.

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