Green Party leader absent from nearly all regional council meetings

Green Party leader Sofia Virta has missed nearly all meetings of the Southwest Finland Wellbeing Services County’s regional council this year, attending just one of seven sessions, according to attendance records obtained by Yle.

Virta’s sole appearance came in December, when the council approved the 2026 budget. She has the highest number of absences among all regional councillors.

The regional council last met a week ago; Virta was again absent.

In Turku’s city council, Prime Minister Petteri Orpo (National Coalition Party) has the most absences, missing seven of 12 meetings. Virta has missed six, attending only one city council meeting this year—the session that approved the construction of Turku’s tram line.

Both Virta and Orpo were absent from Monday’s city council meeting.

Virta, who moved to Turku ahead of the municipal elections, received the most votes in the city and helped the Greens become Turku’s third-largest party, overtaking the Left Alliance.

Her absences from parliament drew attention last week after tabloid Iltalehti reported she had been filming a reality TV show, Erikoisjoukot. Virta has since announced plans to return a portion of her parliamentary allowances to the State Treasury, though Speaker Jussi Halla-aho (Finns Party) stated such a refund is not possible.

Yle was unable to reach Virta or Orpo for comment. A Green Party spokesperson said Virta would return this week and address the issue then.