Right now, texts and policy lines are being written that will guide Finland’s politics all the way to 2031. Political parties are drafting their election platforms, and ministries are preparing civil servant briefings that will be used as background material for the next government programme. If your organisation wants to move an issue forward in the years 2027–2031, the right moment to influence is now.
The parliamentary elections of spring 2027 and the subsequent government programme negotiations may still feel far off. There are almost a year and a half to go until the elections, which is why they can seem distant.
Yet it is precisely now that the foundation for the next government term is being laid: parties are working on their election platforms, and ministries are drafting background memos and analyses for civil servant briefings. By the time political campaigning truly kicks off in spring 2027, the priorities of the coming government term will already have taken shape behind the scenes.
A smart influencer is active now — not in spring 2027.
The government programme drafting phase is a critical moment for influence
The importance of early influence has grown in step with the expanding role of government programmes. Since the 2000s, government programmes have evolved into strategic work plans that define a government term’s priorities, key reforms, and the division of labour between ministries. The more detailed the programme, the less room there is during the term for new initiatives.
This is why the current drafting phase has become the most critical moment for influencing policy.
“When background work is still ongoing, expert knowledge is most valuable to decision-makers.”
When your organisation’s goals, messages, and expertise are brought forward at this stage, they can genuinely affect the decisions made in Finland between 2027 and 2031. The same themes and solutions may end up both in party election platforms and in civil servant briefings — and through them shape the entire direction of policy and legislation during the next parliamentary term.
Influence does not have to start from scratch
Election and government programme influencing is often seen as a separate project, even though in reality it is a natural continuation of all other strategic work. The same efforts that build visibility, trust, and expert credibility also form the foundation of influence. In other words, influencing does not have to start from zero: most organisations already have the plans, resources, and messages that preparers are looking for.
Influencing is not a privilege reserved for large actors. From a democratic perspective, it is essential that organisations of different sizes and with varying resources are able to make their voices heard.
For smaller organisations, networks and collaboration open up opportunities that are easily missed when acting alone. Clear messages and well-planned influencing deliver results regardless of organisational size.
Preparers are looking for solutions — and many organisations already have them
Ministries and political parties are currently examining broad societal issues: the sustainability of the welfare state, changes in working life, strengthening security, the state of the climate and nature, demographic trends, the use of technology, and the wellbeing of children and young people. These challenges require wide-ranging expertise — expertise that already exists in many organisations.
What interests preparers most is what is known about the problem, what solutions are realistic, and what their cost and impact would be. Background discussions at this stage are far more useful to preparers than high-profile campaign-season statements.
When background work is still underway, expert knowledge is most valuable to decision-makers. Those actors who move early and are able to offer clearly structured expertise to preparers have the greatest influence on the direction the work takes.
“Influencing is not only the privilege of large organisations.”
Strategically planned influencing also strengthens an organisation’s position for the future. Even starting from scratch, well-executed work feeds into communication and dialogue for years to come.
A smart influencer does not become active only ahead of elections, but maintains consistent contact with decision-makers between election cycles as well.
The window for influence is open
The guiding role of the government programme makes early influence more important than ever. Most organisations already possess insights and solutions that are needed in the drafting process — but influence is only effective if information is delivered at the right time, in the right format, and to the right people.
The drafting-phase window is limited, and once it closes, opportunities for new initiatives narrow quickly.
Mikko Kivenne
The author is an expert in public affairs communication at Kaskas.
P.S. Did you miss our Towards the 2027 Parliamentary Elections webinar? No worries — you can watch the recording on YouTube.
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