Nine of 13 Pirkanmaa MPs Who Replied Say They Will Run Again

Voters in Pirkanmaa could see continuity at next year’s parliamentary election: nearly half of the region’s current MPs who replied to a recent email survey intend to stand again. Local paper Tamperelainen sent the survey this week to 20 sitting MPs; 13 responded.

Of those, nine said they want to stand for another term, three are still weighing the decision and one has already ruled herself out.

Minister of Economic Affairs Sakari Puisto has publicly declared his candidacy. Minister of Local Government and Regional Policy Anna-Kaisa Ikonen did not respond to the survey; Arto Satonen said he will decide by Midsummer.

Parties have already begun naming candidates. The Finns Party announced six names in early February, including incumbents Miko Bergbom, Veijo Niemi, Sakari Puisto and Joakim Vigelius.

Social Democratic MPs Pia Viitanen, Hanna Laine-Nousimaa and Lotta Hamari have said they intend to run; Viitanen said experience is needed in difficult times.

Anna Kontula has declined to seek re-election, saying she has lost faith in parliamentary politics.