Dual elections in Finland set for April 2024 with new campaign rules

The upcoming dual elections in spring 2024 are set to influence various aspects of campaign strategies. One notable change is that candidates can now have two separate candidate numbers if they are running in both elections. Political parties are currently deliberating how to design their campaign advertisements to accommodate this new rule and how to distinguish candidates who are participating in both elections in their promotional materials.

One challenge is ensuring that campaign posters fit local electoral boards, as highlighted by the RKP’s Secretary-General Fredrik Guseff. Many parties acknowledge that the greatest difficulty lies in clearly communicating to voters that there are indeed two different elections taking place. Questions arise regarding how to balance campaign focus between municipal and social welfare themes, and how candidates will tailor their campaigns accordingly.

Clear communication is crucial, as emphasized by the Left Alliance’s Secretary-General Anna Mäkipää. The Secretary-General of the Finns Party, Harri Vuorenpää, also stresses the importance of clarity, noting that some voters may confuse the elections and candidates. It is anticipated that all parties will collaborate with electoral authorities to facilitate clear voting decisions.

The Green League’s Secretary-General Anna Moring raises concerns about differing campaign financing limits for the two elections. For municipal elections, the limit per supporter is set at 3,000 euros, while for regional elections, it is 6,000 euros, resulting in a combined total of 9,000 euros for candidates participating in both.

Despite the complexities posed by these dual elections, parties are optimistic that holding municipal and regional elections simultaneously will generate greater interest compared to separate elections. The first regional elections held in 2022 saw a notably low voter turnout of 47.5%, while the last municipal elections in 2021 recorded a turnout of approximately 55%. Both elections are scheduled for Sunday, April 13.