Share and Follow
An MP from Finland has died in the country’s main parliament building in Helsinki.
Eemeli Peltonen, 30, a Social Democratic Party politician, is believed to have taken his own life in the building and was found on Tuesday morning, the BBC reports.
Police were called to the parliamentary building – known as the Eduskuntatalo – on Tuesday morning. They ruled out foul play.
Peltonen’s death was confirmed about three hours later in a short parliamentary statement.
It said the community shared in “the grief of his relatives”.
A first-term MP, elected in 2023, he represented the seat of Uusimaa in the nation’s south.
In June, Peltonen announced on social media he had been ill with a kidney infection, which had interrupted his work in parliament.
He said he was taking sick leave and concentrating on regaining his health.
The shock death of Peltonen triggered expressions of sadness from all sides of Finnish politics.
“He was a much-loved member of our community and we will miss him deeply. A young life has ended far too early,” Tytti Tuppurainen, chair of the Social Democratic parliamentary group, said.
Prime Minister Petteri Orpo held a minute’s silence in honour of Peltonen who, he said, had been well-liked by MPs.
Readers seeking support can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or beyond blue on 1300 22 4636.
Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467.
MensLine Australia 1300 78 99 78.