How do the parties plan to promote student issues in the council? Representatives of Espoo's council parties will take the stage to be tested on themes concerning students. The panelists will be Mika Poutala (KD), Liina Isto (PS), Peppi Seppälä (Greens), Joel Vanhanen (National Coalition), Topi Kytölehto (SDP), Elina Saarentaus (Left), Julia Ståhle (RKP) and Jussi Holma (Centre). The panel will be hosted by AYY's Chair of the Board Sakari Ropponen and Board Member Katariina Kokkonen. You can come on site or watch the broadcast on AYY's YouTube channel. English interpretation is available.
Are you still looking for your candidate for the municipal and county elections? Come meet the parties and candidates at AYY's "election square" campaign event and ask them on the questions that concern you!
Early voting for the municipal and county elections is underway! In these elections, we won't let grannies decide for us, but we'll bring our friends along and let the students' voices be heard! We'll be going out to vote in a group starting from Alvarinaukio at 3 p.m. After the vote, there will be buns, coffee and overall badges available for voters at Alvarinaukio.
Instead of voting on election day, you may vote in advance at any of the general advance polling stations in Finland or abroad. Read more here and have a look at the polling stations: https://vaalit.fi/en/voting-in-advance
On election day, you may only vote at the polling station stated in the voting register and in the polling card sent to you before the elections. Polling stations are open on election day from 9.00 to 20.00. Read more here and check your polling station: https://vaalit.fi/en/voting-on-election-day
By voting in municipal and county elections, you can have a concrete impact on what your hometown looks like now and in the future. Will student housing, services, or recreation areas be zoned for Otaniemi, will public transport function well, will Espoo be student-friendly? In the elections, councillors are elected to make decisions on these matters.
Municipal councils make decisions on public transport, student housing, parks, sports services, new buildings, libraries, events, and other matters.
County councils make decisions on health centres, fire and rescue services, mental health services, hospitals, and other matters.
Read more on the elections here: https://vaalit.fi/en/county-and-municipal-elections
Your right to vote depends on two factors: your municipality of residence and your nationality.
✅ Finnish citizens can vote if they have a registered municipality of residence in Finland on 21.2.2025. This is based on their permanent place of residence. Moving to a study town usually means a change of municipality if the move is expected to last more than a year. There are exceptions, but most university students should have their study town as their municipality of residence.
✅ Citizens of EU and EEA countries have the same voting rights as Finnish citizens. If they had a municipality of residence in Finland on the 21.2.2025, they can vote. Since degree students typically stay in Finland for more than a year, they usually have voting rights.
✅ Citizens of other countries can vote if they have had a registered municipality of residence in Finland continuously for at least two years before 21.2.2025. This means they must have moved to Finland no later than February 2023 and obtained a municipality of residence immediately.
❌ Exchange students are generally not considered permanent residents of Finland, as their stay usually lasts less than a year. Without a municipality of residence, they do not have voting rights.
Remember to use your vote!
Espoo must influence HSL public transport student prices and schedules, as well as promote urban planning that supports walking and cycling.
The infrastructure costs of public transport in the metropolitan area must not be passed on to ticket buyers; instead, the cities must bear a larger proportion of the costs.
AYY promotes cooperation with the employment services of Aalto and Espoo and seeks solutions to help more international students find employment in Espoo during their studies or after graduation.
The metropolitan area and Espoo must be internationally attractive places to study, work, and live, as well as growing centres of expertise.
AYY supports students being actively involved in developing Otaniemi into a vibrant neighbourhood with functioning services, while respecting its unique nature.
Aalto University Student Union (AYY) urges the City of Espoo and other municipalities in the HSL area to take a stronger role in improving public transport pricing and accessibility in the metropolitan area and in promoting more affordable public transport.
Aalto University Student Union (AYY) urges the City of Espoo to find solutions that support the employment of international students both during their studies and after graduation.
Aalto University Student Union (AYY) urges the City of Espoo to keep students actively involved in the development of Otaniemi. The campus should be designed for students, and Otaniemi should develop to reflect its residents.
How do the parties plan to promote student issues in the council? Representatives of Espoo's council parties will take the stage of U1 Hall to be tested on themes concerning students at 16-17.30.
