Teppo Sirniö, 74, will resume duties as municipal manager in his hometown of Petäjävesi. The former mayor steps in as interim leader while the municipality searches for a permanent replacement.
Sirniö currently serves as deputy chair of the municipal board. He was elected as a municipal councilor in last spring's local elections.
"I wasn't aggressively pursuing this interim role," Sirniö said in a statement. "But 25 years in Petäjävesi has made me truly local. That means taking responsibility for our community's affairs."
The municipality faces leadership instability after the previous manager Arto Kummala resigned just weeks ago. Administrative director Sari Kaakkomäki was initially appointed interim manager but will leave for Orivesi later this year.
The municipal council will decide on Monday about officially declaring the position open. Applications would be accepted until December 2 under the current proposal.
Petäjävesi, located in Central Finland, has approximately 3,700 residents. The repeated leadership changes suggest underlying challenges in municipal administration that need addressing.
Why does a small Finnish municipality keep losing its managers? The pattern indicates deeper issues beyond individual career moves.