MP and former Finns Party leader Jussi Halla-aho will likely replace Mika Niikko as the chair of the parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee.
Finns Party chair Riikka Purra confirmed the news to Yle after it was first reported by Helsingin Sanomat.
"The official decision will, of course, be made at our meeting on Thursday, but yes, we have discussed Jussi Halla-aho taking on the role of chair and he has been open to the idea," Purra stated.
According to Purra, the party would be very pleased if Halla-aho secures a key position on the committee.
"He is an excellent candidate for this position. He is the former chair of the party, has experience leading a committee and was a member of the European Parliament. In my opinion, these roles did not give him enough opportunities to showcase his expertise in foreign affairs," she said.
Purra added that the role of chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee is "one of the most important in the parliament, even in normal circumstances."
"And especially now, with ongoing security tensions and the international political climate being so turbulent due to Russia's aggressive foreign policy and other events," she added.
Niikko announced on Tuesday that he was resigning from his post on the committee after comments he made on Twitter led to a wave of criticism.
His tweet suggested that French President Emmanuel Macron, or someone else, should state publicly that Ukraine would not join Nato.
The tweet prompted swift backlash as it directly contradicted Finland's foreign policy and previously stated views on the subject.
Purra stated that the parliamentary group would decide if any further action is to be taken against Niikko, but she does not believe it would be necessary.
"Mika Niikko made the decision [to step down] on his own in the evening and I consider it appropriate," she said.
