Esko Rautiainen, the mayor of Rääkkylä in Finland, has announced his resignation, which will take effect on February 23, 2026, following a scandal that emerged in November about his inappropriate conduct on social media. The local government confirmed that the decision to end Rautiainen's term was mutual, signaling the need for the municipality to restore trust among its citizens after the incident.

In the interim, Raita Joutsensaari, a development secretary who has been serving as the acting mayor during Rautiainen's leave, will officially step into the role of temporary mayor starting on February 23. This arrangement will remain in place until a permanent replacement is found, with the council set to advertise the position in their upcoming meeting.

Rautiainen's controversy has cast a shadow over the local government, prompting discussions about appropriate behavior in public office and the impact of such incidents on governance. As the council aims to navigate this transition, the focus will also be on how to rebuild public confidence in local leadership.