In English

Saara Ilvessalo: Passion and unparalleled experience

• Master of Laws
• Executive manager and Baltic Sea scholar
• Turku City Council member
• Turku Urban Environment Committee chair
• Council of Europe Congress of Local and Regional Authorities member

I am a 29-year-old solution-oriented lawyer and a realistic optimist. I believe in fact-based decision-making that builds on the best available information and takes advantage of both passion and experience. I have worked for a sustainable society for more than ten years from local to international level. 

I live in Turku and spend my summers in Velkua (Naantali) and Uusikaupunki. My hobbies are playing the drums, singing, exercising at the gym, reading and watching Swedish detective stories as well as Guiding and Scouting. I am involved in politics because I want to do my part in building a better world. That’s why I became a candidate for the Greens.

Protecting the climate, the Baltic and the nature 

• Emission-free Finland by the 2030s
• A healthy Baltic Sea through reduced emissions and international co-operation 
• Clean nature trumps all: We must stop the loss of diversity 

Creating sustainable mobility, urban regions and jobs

• Support for developing cities that provide for smooth and sustainable everyday living 
• Focus on bicycling, walking and public transport: one-hour train to Helsinki and commuter rail service must be put to practice! 
• New jobs through emission-free and environmentally friendly investments

Rescuing education, academia and pre-emptive services

• Learning and research is Finland’s road to success. Cancel the cuts on education! 
• Prevention of problems is an investment: ensure free education and easy-access mental health services 
• Fighting poverty through basic income, flexible work and sufficient livelihood

Strengthening human rights, democracy and equality

• The rule of law must be defended. Human rights are our guiding star
• Democracy needs to become more participatory and open
• Also needed: an equality-centred family leave reform, a ban on organised racism and a reworked law on transgender status

Vote for a sustainable solution! 

National parliament elections 14.4.2019
Advance voting 3.-9.4.2019
Information about the elections in English.