Pirkanmaa well-being region appoints outgoing audit director’s son as successor against committee recommendation

The Pirkanmaa well-being region has selected Aleksi Paananen, son of the outgoing audit director, as its new audit director after a council vote overturned the audit committee’s proposed candidate, Yle reports.

The Pirkanmaa regional council voted 43–35 in a secret ballot to appoint Paananen over Rami Aaltonen, the candidate recommended by the audit committee. The committee had deemed Aaltonen the most qualified applicant based on interviews, experience, and assessments.

Paananen currently serves as audit manager for the Vantaa and Kerava well-being region. He dismissed concerns about nepotism, stating he had built his career independently. “I have built my career myself,” he told Yle, adding that family ties do not legally disqualify candidates.

The decision follows an earlier controversy in March, when the council—prompted by the Social Democratic Party (SDP)—returned the appointment for reconsideration. The outgoing director, Jarmo Paananen (SDP), is a member of the party and chairs the Tampere Workers’ Association. Despite this, the audit committee reaffirmed Aaltonen as its choice in February.

Nineteen applicants sought the position, with 16 meeting qualifications. A selection panel interviewed six candidates in December, narrowing the field to four—including Paananen and Aaltonen—for final evaluation. The audit director’s monthly salary is approximately €9,700.

The council’s vote was initiated by Left Alliance member Milka Hanhela and supported by Green League member Olga Haapa-aho. Typically, the council votes only on top executive roles, such as CEO or regional director.

Pirkanmaa is Finland’s largest well-being region, with 79 council members.