Kotka's city manager Esa Sirviö remains in his position despite facing aggravated drunk driving charges. The city council has not initiated proceedings to review his confidence.
City officials plan to begin a formal warning process instead. This procedure addresses the criminal suspicions against Sirviö.
In early September, Sirviö took medical leave for a serious health condition. The city later revealed he also faced drunk driving allegations from an incident during his personal time.
Sirviö is scheduled to return to work in early November. His reinstatement follows coordination with healthcare providers and occupational health services.
"Sirviö states the treatment path is long," officials noted. "He has already received good help and tools for recognizing and managing his endurance."
The city has not disclosed specific details about Sirviö's health condition publicly. Sirviö described his situation as a "necessary pause" caused by burnout and related symptoms.
"This led to various events that eventually involved multiple authorities from police to chief medical officers," Sirviö stated in his own announcement in mid-September. "Some matters will eventually come before the court, and the sanction for drunk driving will likely be clear."
He had already transitioned from hospital care to outpatient treatment at that time. Sirviö also reported having his driving privileges conditionally restored. He claimed the process of "fixing things" had begun.
The situation presents a challenging scenario for Kotka's municipal leadership. A city manager facing serious criminal charges while maintaining their position raises questions about accountability standards in Finnish local government.