Young candidates double in Tampere church elections

The number of candidates aged 30 or younger in Tampere’s church elections has doubled since the previous vote, Yle reports. There are 28 young candidates this year, compared with 14 last time.

The number of under-30 candidates has also risen across Finland. Church figures show that 624 are running for church councils and 324 for parish councils. In Tampere, the total number of candidates is up by about 27 per cent.

Among the candidates are Onni Ylitalo, 29, and Mikael Viitanen, 21. Ylitalo, who has long been involved in parish activities through scouting, is standing for both the council of Tampere’s Southern Parish and the joint church council. He says he wants decisions to protect youth activities and their funding, and to reflect what young people say they want from the church.

Viitanen, who has previously been involved in organisations and politics, is also running for both bodies. He says the church should support people with substance dependencies, including through financial, social and spiritual assistance.

Those elected decide how parish funds are used, who is hired and what resources are allocated to activities and support work. In parish unions, parish councils make decisions about their own parish, while joint church councils handle matters such as the union’s finances.

Viitanen believes increased interest among young people may reflect wider interest in religion. Ylitalo says young people may now have more information about how they can influence church decisions. Tapani Rantala, head of the Tampere Evangelical Lutheran parishes, says the church’s role in supporting people at risk of being left behind, as well as its faith and values, may appeal to people facing challenges and anxiety.

Advance voting runs from November 3 to 7, and election day is November 15. Members of Finland’s Evangelical Lutheran Church aged 16 or older can vote. The elections are held every four years, with representatives chosen for 328 parishes.