Finnish MP Dies By Suicide Inside Parliament Building Weeks After Revealing Health Battle

Last Updated:August 19, 2025, 18:58 IST

Peltonen, a first-term MP from the Social Democratic Party (SDP), was confirmed dead around 11 am local time (8 am GMT) on Tuesday

Finnish Member of Parliament Eemeli Peltonen. (Image via Insatgram/eemeli_peltonen)

Finnish Member of Parliament Eemeli Peltonen has died by suicide inside the country’s parliament building, just weeks after publicly sharing details of his health struggles. He was 30 years old.

Peltonen, a first-term MP from the Social Democratic Party (SDP), was confirmed dead around 11 am local time (8 am GMT) on Tuesday. Emergency services were called to the scene at 11:06 am. The exact cause or manner of death has not been disclosed.

In a statement, the Finnish Parliament confirmed Peltonen’s death and expressed condolences to his family and loved ones.

“The person who passed away in the Parliament Building on the morning of August 19 is Eemeli Peltonen, a member of parliament in his first term," the statement read.

Peltonen was elected to the Finnish Parliament in 2023. He served on the Administrative Committee and Legal Committee and was also a city councillor in Järvenpää, where he chaired the city board.

His death comes just weeks after he revealed that he had been facing serious health issues. In June, Peltonen posted on social media that he was receiving treatment for kidney problems and had taken time off from his duties to rest at home, Daily Mail reported.

He later shared that he had contracted a bacterial infection during treatment and had begun a course of intravenous antibiotics in hospital.

“To control the bacteria, I was started on an intravenous antibiotic course in [hospital], which will take time. At the same time, treatment for my kidney problems will continue," he wrote.

Finnish police are investigating the incident but have said they do not suspect foul play.

Tytti Tuppurainen, chair of the Social Democratic parliamentary group, said the news has left colleagues “deeply shocked."

“He was a much-loved member of our community and we will miss him deeply," she said. “A young life has ended far too soon. We share in the grief of his loved ones and wish them strength in their mourning."

Finnish President Alexander Stubb also expressed his condolences, calling the news “tragic" and offering support to Peltonen’s loved ones.

The Finnish flag was flown at half-mast outside Parliament on Tuesday. MPs are currently on summer recess, with sessions due to resume on 2 September.

(With inputs from AFP)

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