Finnish courts overturn third municipal manager dismissal in procedural error cases

Finnish administrative courts have overturned the dismissals of three municipal managers in separate cases, ruling the terminations unlawful due to procedural failures, Yle reports.

The Hämeenlinna Administrative Court this week annulled the dismissal of Savonlinna city manager Janne Laine, following similar rulings in December for Luumäki municipality manager Risto Alaheikka and Sysmä municipality manager Marketta Kitkiöjö—the first time a dismissed Finnish municipal manager successfully challenged their termination in court.

In each case, courts found flaws in the dismissal process. Laine was not consulted adequately, while Luumäki and Sysmä failed to follow correct procedural steps. Sysmä has since applied for leave to appeal to the Supreme Administrative Court.

Municipal councils must establish a temporary committee to investigate allegations against a manager, hear all parties, and secure a two-thirds majority for dismissal. Legal expertise is often lacking, particularly in smaller municipalities where council members may operate on a quasi-voluntary basis.

While dismissed managers have no legal barrier to returning to work, their controversial status often makes reinstatement impractical. Luumäki settled with Alaheikka for €230,000—a significant sum for a small municipality. Many managers’ contracts include severance clauses of 6–12 months’ salary, reflecting the high political and legal stakes of such disputes.