Hirviniemi appeals to Supreme Administrative Court following removal from Kanta-Häme regional council

Erja Hirviniemi, a politician from Riihimäki who recently lost her eligibility to serve on the regional authority board, plans to appeal her case to the Supreme Administrative Court. This week, the Administrative Court of Hämeenlinna dismissed her appeal regarding her removal as an alternate member of the regional council.

Hirviniemi expressed her disappointment with the ruling, emphasizing that her appeal is not solely about her situation but also pertains to a broader national principle. She pointed out the strictness of the law, which she believes warrants review. The Kanta-Häme regional council decided in May 2023 that Hirviniemi would lose her position because she had transitioned to work as a nurse in the region’s substance abuse and mental health unit.

The legal interpretation at stake rests on a clause that prohibits employees working “immediately under” the regional authority from being part of the board or its committees. The Ministry of Finance had previously advised regional authorities in late 2022 that those employed under the regional board’s jurisdiction could not hold positions within it. Subsequently, several officials were removed from their roles, inciting vocal criticism from those affected.

Hämeenlinna’s court has ruled that an employee cannot be part of the governing board since all employees in Kanta-Häme’s welfare area report directly to it. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Finance has initiated a working group to examine whether changes to the eligibility legislation are necessary, particularly in light of guiding recommendations for upcoming regional and municipal elections.