Finland’s next municipal and county elections are scheduled for 13 April 2025, offering citizens the chance to shape local governance. The elections will determine the composition of municipal councils and county councils for wellbeing services counties.
Municipal councils hold significant power over daily life, overseeing education, early childhood care, building control, environmental services, infrastructure, and, from 2025, employment services. There are 308 municipalities, 108 of which call themselves cities, and 200 municipalities.
Simultaneously, voters will elect councils for the 21 wellbeing services counties, which were established in 2023 to provide health, social, and rescue services. These counties are self-governing but have faced criticism over limited autonomy.
Jenni Airaksinen, CEO of the Foundation for Municipal Development, notes that decision-making systems in the counties are still evolving and that their real self-governing is somewhat illusory due to state guidance.
Article source: heikkijokinen.info | Image credit: transform!europe
