Oskari Siitari leaves Green Party regional council group

Oskari Siitari, the top vote-getter for the Green Party in Satakunta’s regional elections, has left the party’s regional council group, Yle reports.

Siitari previously resigned from the Green Party’s group in Pori’s city council and briefly announced his departure from the city council itself before reversing the decision. His repeated absences from council meetings prompted the Greens to consider disciplinary action.

In the regional elections, Siitari received 558 votes, the highest for the Greens in Satakunta. In the municipal elections, he garnered 490 votes.

Siitari also serves on the Satakunta regional board and chairs Pori’s audit committee. Juuli Ojansuu, the Greens’ regional manager, stated the party now demands his resignation from both positions. Ojansuu confirmed Siitari has been given until the end of July to comply but did not specify consequences if he refuses.

Regional board chair Heidi Viljanen (SDP) said she has no information that Siitari has stepped down. Yle was unable to reach Siitari for comment.