Finland's state regional administration will undergo major reforms at the turn of the year. The government will consolidate permit, guidance and supervision tasks into a new Permit and Supervision Agency. Ten regional vitality centers will also be established.
The recruitment process for the director general of the new agency is underway. Tampere will serve as the headquarters location. Twenty-three people applied for the top position.
Several senior public administration officials are among the candidates. These include the directors general of three regional administration agencies and the current director of the National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health.
The former head of administration at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health also applied. She previously led the Satakunta wellbeing services county.
This represents one of Finland's largest public administration reforms in recent years. The consolidation aims to streamline bureaucratic processes across different regions.
The government appears determined to push through these structural changes despite potential implementation challenges. Regional development has become a key political priority in Finland's current economic climate.