Thirteen Finnish cities demand immediate government action to secure public services

Thirteen of Finland’s largest cities are calling on the government to urgently reform the state subsidy system, warning that current funding levels threaten equal access to basic services, public broadcaster Yle reports.

In a legal assessment submitted to Minister of Local and Regional Government Anna-Kaisa Ikonen on Tuesday, the cities argue that the existing system undermines municipal autonomy and residents’ constitutional right to equal services regardless of location. The report, authored by Tuomas Ojanen, professor of constitutional law at the University of Helsinki, states that disparities in municipal tax rates risk creating inequality among residents.

The cities—Jyväskylä, Kotka, Kouvola, Kuopio, Mikkeli, Oulu, Pori, Rovaniemi, Seinäjoki, Tampere, Turku, Vaasa, and Vantaa—collectively represent nearly a third of Finland’s population. Their statement highlights financial shortfalls stemming from the 2023 transfer of social and healthcare services to regional wellbeing authorities, which reduced state subsidies for many municipalities. As a result, several cities have been forced to cut services or consider raising local taxes to meet legal obligations, such as providing education and early childhood services.

The cities demand immediate adjustments to increase their state subsidies, followed by a complete overhaul of the system. A planned reform stalled late last year after coalition parties failed to reach agreement.