Kaisa Juuso controversy begins after Finland’s Minister of Social Affairs and Health appointed her son as her new parliamentary assistant. The decision has drawn criticism from political commentators and caused unease within Parliament.
Ville Rajainmäki, 25, started the role on 8 September and will serve until the end of the current parliamentary term in April 2027. His appointment follows the departure of Hannu Peurasaari, who previously held the position. The full-time post carries a monthly salary of 3,034 euros.
Juuso confirmed to Helsingin Sanomat via text message that Rajainmäki is her only child. The story first appeared in Iltalehti before spreading across Finnish media.
Helsingin Sanomat reviewed the official contract signed by Parliament’s Director of Administration Pertti Rauhio. The hiring proposal was personally submitted by Juuso. Parliamentary procedure allows members to select their assistants independently without involvement from party groups.
Jani Mäkelä, chair of the Finns Party parliamentary group, said he was not informed of the appointment. According to reports, several members of the group were surprised to learn of the family link.
The Kaisa Juuso controversy is not an isolated case. Other Finns Party politicians have also employed close relatives. MP Veijo Niemi hired his own son, while Mikko Polvinen appointed his partner as assistant. Parliament officials confirm that no rule currently prevents such appointments.
Juuso, 65, has often spoken publicly about her personal life. She has said her child, born when she was 40, was long-awaited and that motherhood helped her understand issues affecting young people in Finland.
The new appointment follows earlier backlash involving Juuso’s former assistant, Mikko Talso. In spring 2025, Talso caused outrage after a Facebook post that mocked people receiving welfare benefits from Kela, Finland’s social insurance agency.
“No one dies of hunger in Finland, Kela takes care of that,” Talso wrote. “If you don’t get food, it’s your own stupidity. You losers waiting for benefits with your hand out have earned your poverty.”
He later apologised. Juuso called the comment “unpleasant and unsuccessful” and said she did not tolerate such behaviour, though she added it would be unfair to fire him over one incident. Talso’s employment ended on 31 August.
Beyond the hiring issue, the Kaisa Juuso controversy continues over her handling of hospital service reductions in Lapland. Residents of her home region confronted her recently about cuts at Länsi-Pohja Hospital. The Ministry of Finance’s evaluation group has since advised that more services be moved from Kemi to Rovaniemi, further centralising care.
Under Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s government, Parliament approved the hospital network law that already transferred major surgeries from Kemi to Rovaniemi. Although day surgeries were initially meant to stay in Kemi, the latest proposal would move them as well.
Juuso’s decisions and family appointment have raised renewed debate about transparency, accountability, and public trust in Finland’s political system.
