Rauma council infighting slows decisions as trust breaks down

Disputes within Rauma’s city executive board have slowed decision-making, according to city council chair Otso Huuska. Yle reports that several local politicians accuse former board chair Kalle Leppikorpi of belittling colleagues and obstructing the current leadership’s work. Leppikorpi denies the allegations and has called for specific examples.

Huuska said the board’s working atmosphere had changed since its leadership changed about 18 months ago. He said meetings now spend too much time on secondary issues, including a lengthy discussion about whether minutes should record that a factory visit began before or after a tour.

Huuska, who has known Leppikorpi for nine years, said he had seen him belittle other politicians and write mocking messages about them in WhatsApp. He said he had spoken with Leppikorpi face to face about his conduct.

Current chair Heidi Hiljanen said she had not been given room to do her job. She accused Leppikorpi of repeatedly challenging processes, taking earlier remarks out of context and trying to undermine her standing with others. Hiljanen said the two did not have an atmosphere of trust, making cooperation difficult.

Second deputy chair Sari Pettersson said her relationship with Leppikorpi was generally good but sometimes tense. She described him as full of ideas, but said his comments could be dismissive. Pettersson said the current leadership, particularly its women members, had been targeted by mocking remarks and that work had been hindered by focusing on matters irrelevant to decisions.

Leppikorpi’s conduct has also been discussed after Satakunnan Kansa reported that he had been expelled from the Rauma Workers’ Association. The reasons cited included targeting colleagues, bullying and misogyny. Leppikorpi said the decision had come as a surprise and told Yle he felt he was being attacked from the shadows.

The dispute sharpened after the municipal elections in summer 2025, when Hiljanen and Leppikorpi tied in the contest for board chair. The position was decided by drawing lots, which Hiljanen won.

Yle sought interviews with all nine members of the city executive board and interviewed seven, including Leppikorpi, the full leadership and three other members. Two did not respond. The accounts differ: not all board members endorse the accusations against Leppikorpi.