Private Interests

Statutory declaration of private interest

Statutory declarations of private interest increase the openness and transparency of decision-making. They can be used to prevent, in advance, situations that could undermine trust in the activities of office holders and elected officials. The declarations also strengthen the reliability of the political system.

Certain elected officials and office holders are obliged to report their interests to the Audit Committee.

The notification applies to elected officials and office holders’

  • management tasks and positions of trust in companies and organisations
  • significant assets
  • other interests that may affect the performance of official duties or positions of trust.

The party subject to the disclosure obligation is responsible for submitting the declaration of private interest. The declaration must be made within two months of the person being elected to their position. Changes in interests must also be reported without delay.

Supervision and publicity

The City Audit Committee oversees compliance with the reporting obligation and reports to the City Council at least twice a year. The Audit Committee may request additional information or new notifications if it finds shortcomings in the notifications.

The private interests are published on the city’s website, unless this is prevented by confidentiality regulations.

Disqualification

The declaration of private interest does not remove the obligation to report disqualification in municipal decision-making. According to law, disqualification cases are handled on a case-by-case basis.

More information:

Obligations under the Local Government Act and instructions issued by the Association of Finnish Cities and Municipalities on the declaration of interests (in Finnish and Swedish)

Private interests of elected officials and officials