Finland: Political Developments and Data in 2021

In 2021, Finland implemented the long-planned health, social and rescue services reform under the new regional governance framework. The Covid-19 vaccinations were issued and the pandemic governance debated as the minister responsible wanted to maintain tighter control. Pandemic fatigue was emerging and measures were lifted in October, only to be restored in December due to the Omicron variant of Covid-19. A new populist-splinter party emerged, speeded by contestation of the pandemic measures. As Finland made a large-scale investment in US-based fighter jets, NATO collaboration and Russian security concerns were discussed at the end of the year. Women remained strong in Finnish political leadership, and there were also some related changes in ministerial positions. The Finnish municipalities chose their councils for the last time independent of the regional elections. The municipal elections, delayed due to the pandemic to June, indicated the status of party competition at the time.