Oskari Päätalo, 21-year-old second-term municipal politician: “Being young brings realism to the job”
Young decision-makers are rare in municipal and regional councils.
Young people are under-represented in both regional and local councils. In Päijät-Häme, for example, only thirty of the more than three hundred councillors elected in the municipal elections are under 34.
Eight of the sixty-nine members of the regional council are under 34 years old.
– Being young brings realism to the way we tackle the big issues, such as climate change and education. It is easier to see these issues when you are young,” says Oskari Päätalo.
– The young person himself is best able to be in a young person’s shoes and think like a young person, says Johannes Pirinen.
“Young people are less committed to their community, the army and studies are taking them away”
The average age of councils elected in the municipal elections has risen to 51.3 years. Under-30s in councils are less than 5 %.
The disappearance of young people was also clearly reflected in the nomination. According to the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities, the age structure of councils largely reflects the nomination. The Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities is concerned about dampening the voice of young people in municipal decision -making.
Johannes Pirinen from Iitti sees the lack of young candidates as the fact that politics are not interested in young people. According to him, politics is perceived as a middle-aged job and young people have many other interests.
– Young types are often less committed to their community. The army and studies often take away from the community and your own future is not yet clear. It is only when the family is set up only when the family is set up, says Oskari Päätalo.
– Still, it is important that the municipality has our age and they are also represented in decision -making.
Youth was also visible during the election campaign and not always an advantage for candidates.
– When I offered older ladies liquorice during the campaign, the answer came to keep your law and give them to a younger one. Older people seem to have the experience that young people are only pursuing young people and the elderly are forgotten, says Oskari Päätalo.
Pirinen’s experiences are slightly different. According to him, the elderly were ready to listen to and he did not come across disagreements on the age of the candidates, even though some could laugh at him after hearing the candidacy.
In this way, young decision -makers Oskari Päätalo and Johannes Pirinen will outline their most important tasks in the municipal councils over the next four years.