Finnish Member of Parliament Eemeli Peltonen died by suicide in the country’s parliament building on Tuesday morning, August 19, according to multiple reports from Finnish media outlets. The 30-year-old Social Democratic Party lawmaker was found unresponsive in the Parliament Building at approximately 11 a.m. local time.
Helsinki police received an emergency call at 11:06 a.m. regarding the incident. Multiple emergency response units, including at least one ambulance, two police vehicles, and a fire truck, responded to the scene. Police investigators do not suspect foul play in the case.
Peltonen represented the constituency of Uusimaa and was serving his first term after being elected to parliament in the 2023 elections with 5,747 votes. He served on the parliament’s administration and legal affairs committees. The Finnish Parliament confirmed his death in an official statement, noting that the parliamentary community shares in the grief of his relatives.
Prime Minister Petteri Orpo confirmed the death during a press briefing in Kajaani, where the National Coalition Party’s parliamentary group was holding its annual summer meeting. Orpo indicated that his party would suspend political discussions for the remainder of the day out of respect. He described receiving truly shocking news from parliament and extended his support to the family, loved ones, and colleagues of the deceased lawmaker.
Parliament Speaker Jussi Halla-aho expressed condolences on behalf of the legislature, noting that Peltonen was a popular and respected colleague across party lines. Social Democratic Party parliamentary group chair Tytti Tuppurainen said the death “deeply shocks me and all of us” and described Peltonen as a very well-liked member of their community who would be greatly missed.
Former Prime Minister Sanna Marin recalled working with Peltonen in the youth group and party, expressing that his life ended too early. Social Democratic Party chair Antti Lindtman described Peltonen as a unique person who never claimed anything for himself but was always dedicated to the common cause of Finland and the social democratic movement.
Peltonen had been dealing with significant health issues in recent months. In June, he shared on social media that he was receiving treatment for kidney disease and had taken medical leave from his parliamentary duties. He later revealed that he had contracted a bacterial infection during treatment, requiring an intravenous antibiotic course in the hospital. His final Instagram post discussed these health challenges and his need for recovery time.
The lawmaker had been absent from parliamentary work during the final weeks of the spring session and remained on sick leave throughout the summer. As recently as Saturday, Peltonen told Keskisuomalainen newspaper that he would continue on sick leave for at least another week, though he declined to provide detailed comments about his condition.
Peltonen began his political career at age 18 when he was first elected to the Järvenpää City Council with 153 votes. He served as chairman of the city council from August 2021, becoming the youngest person in the city’s history to hold that position. He graduated from the University of Helsinki in 2020 with a master’s degree in political science.
Before entering parliament, Peltonen worked as a communications expert and parliamentary assistant for the Finnish Service Industries Union. He was also an active member of the Järvenpää City Council, where he had served since December 2012.
Security Director Aaro Toivonen confirmed that emergency medical services, rescue units, and police authorities responded to the scene but declined to provide additional details about the incident. He noted that parliament would not comment further while the coroner’s investigation remained ongoing.
The Finnish parliament is currently in summer recess, with the autumn session scheduled to begin on September 2. Finland’s national flag was lowered to half-mast in response to Peltonen’s death. Anette Karlsson from Porvoo is expected to take Peltonen’s seat, though she has since resigned from the Social Democratic Party. If Karlsson declines the position, former party chair Antti Rinne would assume the role.
The Finnish parliament, known as the Eduskunta, consists of 200 members elected for four-year terms. Multiple colleagues from across party lines expressed shock and sadness at the loss of their young colleague, describing him as talented, warm, and sympathetic.
