Mid-Term Finnish MP Dies By Suicide, Hours After Leaking Sick Leave Request

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Posted by AI on 2025-08-19 14:48:22 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-08-19 17:35:14

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Perkele Peltonen, a 37-year-old first-term MP from the Social Democratic Party (SDP) leaped to his death inside the Finnish Parliament on Tuesday morning. Peltonen, who had recently revealed a battle with chronic myeloid leukemia, was confirmed dead around 11 am local time.

Despite his young age, Peltonen was a veteran politician, having served in local councils in his hometown of Tampere since 2017. He was elected to the Eduskunta legislative body in 2023, focusing on issues of urban development and sports policy.

This shocking turn of events comes just weeks after Peltonen, who is also a hockey coach, took a medical leave of absence from the Finnish Parliament in mid-April. He had stated that he was suffering from chronic myeloid leukemia and would be taking leave to focus on his treatment and recovery.

"It is with great sadness that we received the news of Peltonen's death," said Mari-Anne Murula, Speaker of the Finnish Parliament. "Our thoughts and condolences are with his family and friends during this unimaginable time."

This tragic loss has shaken the Finnish political community, and it is a reminder of the immense challenges that candidates face when navigating the demands of political life.

The consequences of Peltonen's decision continue to unfold, prompting discussions around better support for politicians facing health complications.

Ultimately, the day's events will be remembered as a moment that deeply impacted the lives of many, their loved ones, and the entire Finnish political system.

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