Introduction to Finnish municipal elections

Reading list

The next local elections in Finland will be held in April 2025.

You do not need to be a Finnish citizen to vote.

Since most decisions affecting everyday life are made at the municipal level, it is important to vote for candidates and parties who will best represent your interests. This reading list might help you know more about Finnish municipal elections and politics.

Happy voting!

Municipal elections in Finland in English
https://vaalit.fi/en/municipal-elections

City of Helsinki’s information page about elections and participating in other ways
https://www.hel.fi/en/decision-making/get-involved/participate-in-decision-making/elections-and-voting

The Left Alliance Party
https://vasemmisto.fi/frontpage

Recording of online event organised by Familia ry
Get Involved in the 2025 Finnish Municipal Elections! – Online Information Event in English

Finland’s municipal politics exert huge influence over everyday life, but most foreigners don’t vote https://yle.fi/uutiset/osasto/news/local_politics_international_turnout/11649685

Two-thirds of Helsinki city councillors live in the capital’s wealthier central neighbourhoods
https://yle.fi/uutiset/osasto/news/its_as_if_those_residents_dont_deserve_better__suburban_councillors_say_under-representation_has_real-life_impact/11608163

Yle News asked several foreign-born candidates what they’ve enjoyed, what’s been hard, and what they might do differently
https://yle.fi/uutiset/osasto/news/believe_its_possible_foreign_candidates_look_for_success_in_finlands_local_elections/11456140

Some foreigners in Finland are finding they are not properly registered to vote thanks to an administrative mistake
https://yle.fi/uutiset/osasto/news/turku_students_denied_voting_residency_rights_after_registry_mistake/11628156

2017 municipal election results roundup and tips on where to find information about the upcoming elections
https://www.finnwards.com/living-in-finland/the-2017-finnish-municipal-elections-who-got-in-power-where/

How to become a candidate in the upcoming municipal elections?
https://www.finnwards.com/living-in-finland/finnish-municipal-elections-2021-how-to-become-a-candidate/

Committees and other decision making bodies in Finnish municipal administration
https://www.finnwards.com/living-in-finland/committees-in-finnish-municipalities/

Voting activity in Finnish municipal elections
https://www.finnwards.com/living-in-finland/a-look-at-voting-activity-in-finnish-municipal-elections/

Let Me Finnish podcast, which has episodes about elections in Finland
https://open.spotify.com/show/7qwmKhZt3eLxxaAkLGzs1o