MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS AND COUNTY ELECTIONS 2025
I am a candidate in the municipal elections in Espoo and county elections in Western Uusimaa.
The electoral district of Western Uusimaa includes: Espoo, Hanko, Inkoo, Karkkila, Kauniainen, Kirkkonummi, Lohja, Raasepori, Siuntio, Vihti.
Anyone who has been involved in politics knows that, above all, it's about working together - you can't handle common issues alone. That's why I don't want to promise the moon from the sky, but to speak up for things that are important to myself and others and, above all, to work to change the world into a slightly better place. Changes are sometimes painfully slow, but without hard work and faith in a better future, things will not change at all.
Previously, I have been a candidate in the municipal elections of 2021, in the regional elections of 2022 and in the Parliamentary Elections of 2023. In the municipal elections, I was elected as a deputy councilor of the Espoo city council and in the regional elections as a regional councilor for Western Uusimaa. In the Parliamentary Elections I got 1850 votes and I wasn't elected.
Important dates:
- Advance voting in Finland: 2-8 April 2025
- Advance voting abroad: 2-5 April 2025
- Election Day: 13 April 2025
More information, for example who can vote: https://vaalit.fi/en/county-and-municipal-elections
County elections
The Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County has been considered a so-called model student in financial adjustment. However, I believe that people—whether service users, family members, or employees—should be at the center of everything. Decisions should be made with a stronger focus on people first. It is especially important to ensure that everyone has access to help, support, and care when they need it.
Service fees should not become a barrier to seeking treatment. Therefore, the lowest-income individuals should have the opportunity to apply for a discount or exemption from all healthcare service fees. Currently, this is not possible for dental care, health center visits, or hospital treatment, for example. By many measures, people living alone fare worse than the rest of the population. Their health is poorer, and mortality rates are higher. That is why services specifically targeted at those living alone must be developed.
Generally speaking, the primary goal is timely access to treatment and support as early as possible. A goal that I have already promoted during this term and will continue to advocate for if elected is the revision of the principles for reducing and exempting healthcare service fees. This is not a straightforward issue, but essentially, the situation is that currently, discounts or exemptions are only available for some service fees. To ensure that financial barriers do not prevent anyone from seeking care, I consider it crucial that low-income residents in particular have the opportunity to apply for reductions or exemptions. In relation to this, I also submitted a budget proposal in the last meeting and will continue working on this issue in the next term as well.
More about my thoughts in Yle's election compass.
Municipal elections
While many things in Espoo are going well, there is still room for improvement. Planning and construction must better consider environmental values and ensure the preservation of local nature throughout Espoo. The well-performing funds of Espoo should be used to secure the well-being and services of Espoo's residents rather than making cuts, for example, in education resources. So far, these funds have been used very sparingly.
People living alone need to be better considered in decision-making. Accessible and safe public spaces, opportunities for participation and inclusion, sufficiently spacious urban planning, as well as sports and cultural events, benefit not only those living alone but everyone. Regarding HSL, Espoo should actively aim to unify the entire city into a single fare zone. The metro and tram have improved public transport for some but worsened it for others. In particular, cross-city public transport connections should be enhanced.
More about my thoughts in Yle's election compass.