Pori politicians push early to extend city manager’s term
Wednesday 26th August 2026 on 08:00 in
Finland
Politicians in Pori are already preparing to extend City Manager Lauri Inna’s term, even though his six-year appointment has only passed its halfway point, Yle reports.
Mikael Ropo, chair of Pori’s city government and a member of the National Coalition Party, said he hopes the city can agree on an extension with Inna as soon as possible, preferably this autumn.
Inna began his term in spring 2023, and his current fixed-term employment runs until early 2029. He has had a varied career in municipalities, the Defence Forces and businesses, often staying with employers for relatively short periods.
Politicians support an extension, but Inna urges caution
The city council elected last year will appoint the city manager. Many influential politicians in Pori believe Inna has performed well, although he also has critics. Some politicians in the Social Democratic Party have criticised him in private discussions.
Politicians supporting an extension are concerned that Inna himself may not want to continue, even if there is broad agreement in Pori behind another term.
Inna told Yle that he considers the discussion about an extension somewhat premature.
“If politicians want to discuss it, we can discuss it. However, I am strongly focused on my current duties as city manager,” Inna said.
Inna has helped advance major projects
Inna’s term in Pori has progressed strongly. He has been involved in bringing a TNT factory to the city and in promoting the sale of a minority stake in Pori Energia to a Swedish company that invests pension assets.
He faced criticism in winter after it emerged that he had been appointed to the board of KT, the public-sector employers’ organisation, through a seat allocated to the National Coalition Party. Inna denied being a member of the party and said he had been chosen as an expert.
Inna also dismissed speculation that he might stand for Parliament in next spring’s elections.
“That would not even occur to me. It would be a bad decision towards my employer,” Inna said.