Green Party demands top vote-getter resign from Satakunta regional board

The Green Party in Satakunta has demanded that Oskari Siitari, a member of the regional board, step down following his recent departure from the party’s regional council group, Yle reports.

Siitari, who was the party’s top vote-earner in the regional elections with 558 votes, left the Green regional council group after his absences prompted the group to consider disciplinary action. The Satakunta Greens have since informed him he must leave the regional board by the end of July.

Anna Alarautalahti-Heurlin, administrative director of the Satakunta wellbeing services county, told Yle that no official notification has been received regarding Siitari’s departure from the Green council group, let alone his potential resignation from the board.

If Siitari does not resign voluntarily, his removal would require a lengthier process. The entire regional board would need to be dismissed and re-elected without him, necessitating the establishment of a special temporary committee. With the next regional council meeting scheduled for October, the matter could drag on until late in the year without Siitari’s cooperation.

Yle has not reached Siitari for comment.

The Satakunta wellbeing services county has previously faced similar situations. In 2024, National Coalition Party regional council chair Sampsa Kataja lost confidence due to notable absences but ultimately resigned on health grounds, avoiding the need for a temporary committee.