22.01.2026
Lauri Nikula to the Presidium of the the Board of the Regional Assemblys
The chairmen of the the Board of the Regional Assemblys of mainland Finland met at the Kuntatalo building in Helsinki on 20 January 2026. At the meeting, the Chairpersons of the the Board of the Regional Assemblys were elected Johannes Koskinen (SDP) from the ground up. South Ostrobothnia elected 1st Vice Chairman Janne Sankelo (KOK) and 2nd Vice-Chair Lauri Nikula (KESK) from Northern Ostrobothnia.
– The cooperation between the regions of Eastern and Northern Finland has been effective and close. in cooperation with the same attitude, I approach cooperation between all regions, Lauri Nikula notes.
The meeting of the chairpersons of the the Board of the Regional Assemblys is a political group for mutual cooperation based on the voluntary nature of the Regional Assemblys, whose term of office is the same as that of the the Board of the Regional Assemblys.
– The upheaval in the state's regional administration underlines the need to develop regional democracy and its effectiveness. That is why it is important that regional The Regional Assemblys coserve as nationally at different levels. Co-operation between the chairmen of the Regional Boards strengthens the voice and Influencing of the counties in regional policy, says the elected chair of the group Johannes Koskinen.
The meeting discussed issues related to the business environment of municipalities and Regional Assemblys, such as the effects of the demographic change on the municipal sector. The Regional Assembly of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities has launched a broad-based discussion on the future of municipalities in differentiated demographic trends, and the work will continue parliamentaryly.
Various changes in the business environment also challenge regional The Regional Assemblys to renew themselves. The European Commission's proposal for the EU's next multiannual financial framework for 2028-2034 is a strong driver for reform work. The whole of EU policy affecting the vitality of the regions will be reformed, which will affect the tasks of different ministries as well as the vitality centres and regional The Regional Assemblys.
– The counties must be awake now. The needs are different, but close and effective cooperation is in the interest of all regions. At this table, we need to find the fstakeholders that unite the regions and highlight them. By sharpening the common points of Influencing, our message is better heard at both Finnish and EU level," says Lauri Nikula.
The unions have a strong desire and ambition to act as a regional leader in vitality and as a creator of sustainable growth in a changing business environment.
– The excellent economic development of Northern Finland over a period of more than 10 years is a good example of the fact that the wEnablers and losers should not be chosen in advance, but that the different strengths of different regions must be harnessed as an engine of vitality. Regional Assemblys have a comprehensive situational picture of the regions' strengths and potential, as well as plans for a better future for the regions. Now we need stronger implementation and clear responsibilities and tools for implementation in order to turn Finland's economy back onto a growth path, comments the Chairman of the Region Mayors Satu Sikanen from South Karelia.
Further information:
Johannes Koskinen, Chairman of the Regional Boards, johannes.koskinen@eduskunta.fi, tel. +358 50 511 3061
Janne Sankelo, 1st Vice-Chairman of the Chairmen of the the Board of the Regional Assemblys, janne.sankelo@kauhava.fi, tel. 050 512 0519
Lauri Nikula, 2nd Vice-Chair of the Chairpersons of the the Board of the Regional Assemblys, lauri.nikula@ouka.fi, tel. +358 40 913 5722
Satu Sikanen, Chairman of the Region Mayors, satu.sikanen@ekarjala.fi, tel. +358 400 661 318
