Published :
Updated :
For all latest news, follow The Financial Express Google News channel.
A member of the Finnish Parliament committed suicide on the parliament's premises in Helsinki early on Tuesday, reports euractiv.com citing local media.
The MP in question is 30-year-old first-time lawmaker Eemeli Peltonen which the Finnish parliament confirmed later on Tuesday. Police have reported no criminal involvement in his death.
“The passing of Eemeli Peltonen deeply shocks me and all of us,” Tytti Tuppurainen, chairwoman of Peltonen’s social democratic parliamentary group wrote in a statement.
“He was a much-loved member of our community and we will miss him deeply. A young life has ended far too early.”
Peltonen, a social democrat, has been a member of the Finnish parliament since 2023. He was also elected to the city council of Järvenpää, a city of around 50,000, just north of Helsinki. He had gone on sick leave before the summer recess, citing kidney issues.
Earlier on Tuesday, the parliament's security director, Aron Toivonen, told the Finnish boulevard paper Iltalehti: "A fatality has occurred this morning. Emergency medical services, rescue services and police authorities have been alerted to the scene via the emergency response centre." He also confirmed that the incident had taken place in the parliament building.
Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo called the reports "truly sad news".
"At the same time, we wish strength to his family, loved ones and colleagues. This touches all of us deeply," Orpo said according to public service media Yle.
Orpo stated that his National Coalition Party will suspend political activities during its ongoing summer meet due to the incident.
The Finnish parliament is currently in summer recess, with sessions planned to resume in early September.