Finland: Political Developments and Data in 2021

Abstract

In 2021, Finland implemented the long‐planned health, social and rescue services reform under the new regional governance framework. The Covid‐19 vaccinations were issued and the pandemic governance debated as the minister responsible wanted to maintain tighter control. Pandemic fatigue was emerging and measures were lifted in October, only to be restored in December due to the Omicron variant of Covid‐19. A new populist‐splinter party emerged, speeded by contestation of the pandemic measures. As Finland made a large‐scale investment in US‐based fighter jets, NATO collaboration and Russian security concerns were discussed at the end of the year. Women remained strong in Finnish political leadership, and there were also some related changes in ministerial positions. The Finnish municipalities chose their councils for the last time independent of the regional elections. The municipal elections, delayed due to the pandemic to June, indicated the status of party competition at the time.

Finland: Political Developments and Data in 2022

“…The attitudes abroad were generally positive, but the statements in Finland condemned her behaviour. She had become a divisive figure, with earlier scandals (see Palonen 2022) being replicated here. The video featured misunderstandings and unfounded accusations of drug use, and political opponents called for a drug test, which was taken and came back negative (YLE 2022a; YLE 2022b).…”

“…The first Finnish county elections were held in 2022 following an administrative reform that included establishing social and health districts on a regional level (Palonen 2022; Sipinen 2022). Designing the policy of regional reform, the two main parties adopted a different emphasis: Representative democracy was stressed by the Marin government parties, who sought elected officials (SDP) and regional governance (KESK).…”

Less is more or the more the merrier? Analysing attitudes towards multiple‐mandate holding among local officeholders

“…Moreover, the changing institutional framework makes Finland a particularly interesting setting. Leading up to the first welfare‐district elections in 2022 this subject was also discussed by the national media (Palonen, 2022, p. 148), enabling a situation where the practice of multiple‐mandate holding is arguably a subject of public concern. Furthermore, by using Finland as a case, we contribute to increasing our understanding of democratic processes related to political representation and attitudinal patterns among elected political representatives in liberal democracies towards a practice that is expected to divide opinions (Meire et al, 2002).…”