Debate is swirling around Green Party leader Sofia Virta after her participation in a reality television show kept her away from parliament for just over a week. Virta says she has no regrets about taking part in the Finnish version of the reality programme Special Forces (Erikoisjoukot).

The format involves celebrity contestants battling through a set of emulated special forces training challenges.

"I don't regret joining," she said. "I believe the lessons I took from the experience will make me better in this role as well."

Virta added that she had ensured, before agreeing to take part, that both her party and its parliamentary group would be able to function in her absence. She also said she had remained reachable throughout the filming period in case she was needed in parliament or party duties.

She said she understood that her decision to step away from parliamentary duties had caused disappointment, but stressed that the choice to participate in the programme had been a personal one.

“I hope this personal decision does not cause reputational damage to the party,” she said.

Parliamentary speaker Jussi Halla-aho (Finns) said the speakers' council would be discussing the incident, noting that while it was understandable that MPs receive invitations to go on shows, missing work in the legislature was problematic.