In English

Johanna Kirjavainen

I am the Deputy Mayor of Tampere, a regional councillor, Doctor of Science in Technology, Master of Science in Industrial Engineering and Management, and a mother of two from Pispala, Tampere. I am running for the Finnish Parliament in the 2027 elections in the Pirkanmaa constituency.

I want to help build a Finland that looks to the future, where decisions take into account future generations and the environment, and where everyone, regardless of their background, can study, live, and run a business in a supportive environment. I am deeply passionate about making political decisions based on research and strengthening everyone’s opportunities for a good life through fairness and justice. The values most important to me are human rights, equality, and education.

Why Did I Enter Politics?

I entered politics because I am deeply concerned about two key issues: the future of the welfare state and climate change. I chose the Green Party because it genuinely bases its decisions on science and takes the impacts of climate change and biodiversity loss on our society seriously. The Green Party’s values — human rights, equality, education, and combating inequality — are also deeply important to me.

I have personally experienced that life doesn’t always go as planned, no matter how hard you try. In high school, I was bullied, and as an adult, I have faced postpartum depression and burnout. These experiences taught me that any of us can find ourselves in a situation where we can’t cope alone — and in those moments, the welfare state should be there to catch us. Getting help at the right time prevents human suffering and helps people get back on their feet more quickly.

Experience and Expertise

During my studies, I was active in student organization work and focused academically on technology and innovation management, topics that I explored in my bachelor’s thesis, master’s thesis, and ultimately in my doctoral dissertation. In teaching, I concentrated on futures thinking, technology strategy, and innovation management. Alongside my studies, I worked both in companies and at the university. As a third-generation engineer and the child of an entrepreneurial family, I have served on the board of my family’s SME in manufacturing industry for nearly a decade. In connection with this, I also completed the Chamber of Commerce’s Certified Board Member (HHJ) training program.

You Are the Future

I entered politics so I could tell my children that I did my best to address the big questions, such as climate change and inequality.

I have personally faced difficulties, received help, and that gives me the strength to engage in even the most challenging political conversations. Positivity and hope carry us forward. I want to create more of that in our society.

I promise to do politics that encourages and empowers action, and that does not forget the individual when they are unable to act on their own. These are the times when big questions must be solved.

I hope you too will work toward the best possible future, according to your abilities and circumstances. You are the future.

Johanna Kirjavainen

My Political Themes

• Building trust and hope, especially for young people.
  I promote initiatives that ensure long-term investments in education. I also want to improve the situation of families with children and make everyday decisions that improve their lives. I want to ensure that those in weaker positions receive help and that all of us can get support when we need it. Significantly more active climate action plays a key role in this.
• Combating inequality
  Finland has been a pioneer in offering equal opportunities regardless of a person’s background. I want to ensure this remains true in the future as well. Research shows that reducing inequality builds a healthy welfare state and is the foundation for a safe society.
• Encouraging initiative and action
  I want to promote policies that encourage all of us to work toward Finland’s shared future. I want to dismantle welfare traps that have limited the opportunities of, for example, unemployed people to participate.

How I Intend to Advance These

• Positively
  I mainly approach politics through constructive proposals and by offering alternatives.
• Together
  Politics is collaboration, which requires the ability to build compromises so that on major issues we can gradually move toward something better. I have actively sought to listen to people in all kinds of different life situations and their opinions, so that I stay well connected to everyday reality.
• Based on research
  Less than 10% of parliamentary committee stakeholder meetings are held with research organizations or researchers. I want to increase the involvement of researchers in committee work, so that our decisions are not based solely on the interests of lobbyists.

You can also explore my previous election themes:

• Regional elections 2025
• Municipal elections 2025