Parliament election candidacy?

The process of nominating candidates for next year's parliamentary elections has begun in different parties. In Southwest Finland, for example, both the Finns Party and the National Coalition Party have already nominated candidates.

Within the Social Democratic Party of Finland, discussions about candidates have also started, and local party branches are putting forward proposals for potential nominees. My own local branch, Kaarinan Työväenyhdistys Uurtaja, is doing the same.

I have long been aware that the parliamentary elections will take place in April 2027. The upcoming elections will be the first in which I would be old enough to stand as a candidate. At least on the level of ideas, it has been a goal of mine for quite some time.

The question of candidacy has become increasingly topical since the municipal election spring of 2025, when people from various directions began asking whether I would consider running for Parliament next. At that time, I stated that if there were broad support, I would be willing to stand as a candidate and take part in the campaign.

At the moment, my party has gathered broad support across Finland, which I hope will also translate into electoral success. In addition, I believe that our election program to be published in the autumn and our party congress this summer will strengthen voters' confidence in us. This means that it is realistic to aim for additional seats in my electoral district.

In the last elections, three Social Democrats from Southwest Finland were elected to Parliament: Aki Lindén, Eeva-Johanna Eloranta and Saku Nikkanen. Within the party, the goal is to increase the number of seats from three to five. From those seeking candidacy, I expect and hope for a strong commitment to campaign work, listening to fellow party members, and a spirit of cooperation.

Candidates should also ideally have previous experience in positions of trust both within the party and outside it. However, even more important than experience are practical ideas and the ability to justify one's views.

If I compare my own strengths with the expectations I have described, I believe I meet many of them quite well. On the other hand, it is important to return to the realities of my own life: over the coming years I will still have ongoing studies, several positions of trust to manage, and paid work to do. I also believe that the Social Democrats of Southwest Finland will nominate excellent young candidates whom I'd gladly support myself, and who may fulfill the expectations I have set even better than I do.

Based on these considerations, I have come to the conclusion that I will not seek candidacy in next year's parliamentary elections. Nevertheless, I want to emphasize that I will actively participate in campaign work, as the success of the party is extremely important for Finland and for our society.

In 1916, 1917 and 1936, my party achieved a record seven parliamentary seats in Southwest Finland. In the last three parliamentary elections (2015, 2019 and 2023), we have won only three seats. In the upcoming elections, we must do better.

Finally, I would also like to express my hope that my own local party branch will support the candidacy of Niina Alho, Chair of the Well-being servies county Government and Chair of the City Council of Kaarina. We have an opportunity to elect a Social Democratic Member of Parliament from Kaarina for the first time in over one hundred years.