Tampere faces €46.5m 2027 deficit as councillors split over tax rise
Tampere faces a €46.5 million budget shortfall for 2027, and about a third of city councillors say they would accept raising the municipal income tax as an option.
Tampere is facing a €46.5 million budget shortfall for 2027, and about a third of city councillors say they would accept raising the municipal income tax as an option, YLE reports.
Earlier reporting highlighted a €56.5m first-quarter deficit and a €32.5m 2025 shortfall, underlining the wider financial strain on the city.
A survey of 56 of Tampere’s 67 councillors found 38 percent willing to raise taxes and 43 percent opposed; the remainder were undecided or did not respond. The city has already identified about €40 million in savings and reduced investment pressure by roughly €60 million. Mikko Koskela, the finance director, says balancing the books remains very demanding. Key strains include a jump in the municipal share of unemployment benefits, forecast at €55 million this year, about €11 million above budget, and a €13 million shortfall in tax revenue.
Political lines are mixed. Greens and the Left Alliance most often support an immediate increase, while the National Coalition, True Finns and Christian Democrats oppose hikes; the Social Democrats are divided. A one percentage point rise in the municipal tax would bring in roughly €60 million.
Committees will present concrete budget proposals in September. Mayor Ilmari Nurminen will unveil his plan on 19 October, and the city council will vote on the 2027 budget in November.
Earlier coverage
Catch the full story over at YLE
