Did you know that foreigners have the right to vote in Finland?

County elections and municipal elections will be held at the same time in April 13th, 2025. By voting, you can help choose who will make important decisions that affect our daily lives for the next four years. Municipalities take care of things like schools, sports facilities, environmental issues and water supply services. County councils decide how health and social services and rescue services are organized and provided in wellbeing services counties. You can vote in the county and municipal elections if you are over 18 years old. Additionally, one of the following conditions must be met:

• you are a citizen of Finland and have a home municipality in Finland, or

• you are a citizen of an EU country, Iceland or Norway and have a home municipality in Finland, or

• you are a citizen of another country and have had a home municipality in Finland continuously for at least two years.

Read more: https://hameenlinna.myintegration.fi/en/county-and-municipal-elections/

My taught of Hämeenlinna politics

In politics, cooperation must be at the heart of everything we do. In order for things to progress, we need a common direction and close cooperation. We must be able to build compromises and ensure that things are going in the right direction in the big picture.

From the perspective of the city's growth, the most important thing is the development of the city center, including Hämeensaari and plans for new campus of Häme University of Applied Science. A vibrant city center that attracts new residents radiates positively throughout the city. The growth of the city and a vibrant city center are the best ways to ensure that basic services are maintained throughout the city, from different parts of the inner city to all residents.

It is important that the operating economy is kept in balance in Hämeenlinna, but at the same time we need to invest in the growth of the city. It is important to ensure that services are produced efficiently and that taxes do not increase from the current level. A growing city attracts companies, residents and investors. If the city's population starts to decrease, it will soon be visible in, for example, as a decrease in jobs, a decline in employment, a decrease in the value of apartments and an extension of sales times, empty premises and the withdrawal of companies and investors.

Hämeenlinna's population growth is currently strongly based on immigration. The biggest immigrant groups are foreign students in Häme University of Applied Science and Ukrainian refugees. Finland and Hämeenlinna really needs skilled and educated immigrants. That is why it is really important that all immigrants will  have a change to learn Finnish, get possibilities to work and to set up their business, get friends and integrate into Hämeenlinna.

Hämeenlinna has a valuable history from which we can draw inspiration for future growth. Beautiful nature and waterways create a wonderful setting for well-being. Healthy and safe schools and daycare centers, diverse cultural and recreational opportunities, good connections and a smooth everyday life create excellent conditions for the city's growth. Now is the time to make Hämeenlinna an even more attractive place to live, work and do business!

Check also my answers in Yle election "machine".

The writer Kirsi Lehto is municipal election candidate number 250 in National Coalition Party in Hämeenlinna. She is also Member of the Hämeenlinna City Council and Member of the HAMK board of directors. 

Recommendations

Kirsi is a positive and productive person who studies things carefully. She has convinced me with her precision and goal-oriented nature. We have known Kirsi for over 15 years, so I dare to put the affairs of Hämeenlinna in her hands. - Katleena Kortesuo, entrepreneur and non-fiction writer, M.A. and MBA

When I heard that Kirsi was a candidate, I knew immediately that I would vote for her. I am really happy that Kirsi is ready to use her time and expertise for the benefit of Hämeenlinna and the people of Hämeenlinna. I know that she will carefully investigate matters. I believe that she will do things with the best interests of the citizens in mind. - Anna Muhonen, Mother of three children aged 9-14 and Master of Science in Engineering

I want Hämeenlinna to grow, develop and succeed – that’s why I definitely vote for Kirsi. Kirsi is a person who has clear goals and a vision for what she does. She finds out about things, is interested and sets the bar high enough. Kirsi bases her decisions on knowledge, not so much on emotion, she gets down to business and gets things done! Kirsi definitely has the right attitude. We need decision-makers like this for a vibrant Hämeenlinna of the future, of which every resident can be proud. - Karita Toivanen, entrepreneur

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