Finland has been streamlining municipal governance for years, with more than 200 councils disappearing over the last four decades. On Thursday the government confirmed three new mergers: two forced and one a voluntary union of two willing partners.
Lavia is to join the western port town of Pori, while Tarvasjoki is to become part of Lieto. Both Tarvasjoki and Lavia are regarded as ‘crisis councils’ in financial difficulties. The government is utilizing legislation that came into force last July to permit forced mergers.
“Both Lavia and Tarvasjoki have years of financial crisis behind them, the councils have not been able to run their own operations,” said local government minister Henna Virkkunen.
The mergers will come into force at the start of next year. Both Pori and Lavia opposed the proposal, while Tarvasjoki council accepted its fate with Lieto opposed.
In addition, Jalasjärvi and Kurikka were joined together in a move proposed jointly by the two local authorities. If this merger had not occurred, Jalasjärvi would have been at risk of forced absorption into Seinäjoki. Kurikka and Jalasjärvi will merge at the beginning of 2016.