Fighting inequality

Four years ago, Uusikaupunki-based Jaana Reijonsaari, 38, did not know much about municipal decision-making processes. Nevertheless, she decided to stand as a candidate for the Social Democratic Party (SDP), because her hometown council needed someone to defend families with children. The urge to make a difference in society had been stirred through her trade union activities.
Reijonsaari was elected to the council, and her role as a municipal representative swept her along. This spring, she brought in the second largest number of votes in the town. The biggest female vote-winner in Uusikaupunki will start her second council term with even more zeal this time.
- Other parties were dominated by men, but the top Social Democrats were three tough ladies, she rejoices.
Reijonsaari says that she has worked really hard on the council. A role on the education committee has been a natural choice for her, as she is familiar with day care and schooling because of her own children. She points out that people of her age are needed in decision-making.
She is still interested in the same themes.
- I have tried to be fair and to take the side of those in a more vulnerable position. I have grappled with issues that are not as they should be. Perhaps people have noticed.

‘Basic services must not be undermined’

Vesilahti Municipal Council is showing a shade of green for the first time in a long while.
‘The election result was a total surprise to me,’ says 45-year-old Susanna Suoniemi.
Suoniemi was elected to the council as an independent from the list of Green Party candidates.
The result was surprising because Vesilahti did not have a single Green councillor during the previous council term.
‘I haven’t been involved in politics before, but I thought that someone needed to try and change things at times like these.’
Suoniemi is planning to contribute to ensuring that basic services will not be undermined and that they will be easily accessible.

‘You don’t win elections on your own’

Suldaan Said Ahmed wants to maintain Helsinki as a city where blue-collar workers can also afford to live.
‘At present, I feel quite boisterous,’ comments Suldaan Said Ahmed on his ascent to Helsinki City Council after election night.
Now aged 24, this Left Alliance representative stood as a candidate for the first time in 2012. In this month’s elections, he exceeded his previous vote count more than tenfold.
‘It’s not just about me, but about the civic movement. You don’t win elections on your own.’
Said Ahmed wants to make Helsinki an even greater city, where inequality is in decline.
‘I know a lot of people who are working but still can’t afford to pay for their children’s leisure activities. It’s wrong if you have to spend more than half of your low income on housing.’

PAM members elected to councils

PAM members were elected to local councils from five different parties. The list below includes those who had informed PAM of their candidacy.

Social Democratic Party (SDP): Jouni Airaksinen, Päivi Arhenius, Mika Einiö, Sirpa Laakso, Anne Nissinen, Pirjo Alijärvi, Mikko Laakkonen, Sari Pihlajaniemi, Kim Savolainen, Minna Pessinen, Mia Harkko, Maria Rytkönen, Päivi Kukkonen, Kirsi Kosunen, Päivi Rantaeskola, Kati Romo, Pauliina Parikka, Erja Palviainen, Riitta Ahola, Eija Ikonen, Paula Sojonen, Sirpa Viitanen, Maria-Riitta Mällinen, Gunnar Kotamäki, Antti Kotti, Riitta Lehtinen, Taina Ruuhilehto, Aila Dündar-Järvinen, Paula Keteli, Berhan Ahmadi, Jaana Reijonsaari

Left Alliance: Simo Ilmari Holopainen, Suldaan Said Ahmed, Pirjo Laitinen, Pentti Kallio, Toivo Piira, Auli Herttuainen, Anne Nyman, Rauno Hekkala, Sauli Isokoski, Teija Mykkänen, Katja Hänninen, Jaakko Portti

Centre Party: Anna-Kaisa Lepistö, Maija Riikonen

Green Party: Veera Jussila, Leena Lipiäinen-Medjeral, Annika Fagerström, Satu Susanna Suoniemi

Finns Party: Sirpa Herronen