Former Satakunta Coalition Party executive director to challenge dismissal in court

The former executive director of the Satakunta branch of Finland’s National Coalition Party, Antti Ahonen, plans to take his dismissal to court with the support of his trade union, JHL.

Ahonen was dismissed in April, with his employment ending in late May. He states that allegations of delays and negligence cited during pre-dismissal hearings were unfounded, pointing to the party’s strong election results in Satakunta—two parliamentary seats in 2023 and its best municipal election performance since 2008 in 2025.

“There is no room for a settlement. My local JHL branch has approved my application for legal aid, and the national legal department is handling the case,” Ahonen said.

He remains a party member and serves on the Kanta-Häme regional council. Ahonen was on parental leave at the time of his dismissal and is still currently on leave. He expressed confidence in the union’s support throughout the legal process.

The Satakunta Coalition Party and the party’s national office have declined to comment on the dismissal or its grounds.

Ahonen began as executive director in 2018, took leave in 2023–2024 to serve as municipal manager of Humppila, and returned to his party role in October 2024 before being replaced by Wili Mäkelä.