Biggest Municipal Merger Ever

Finland's biggest municipal merger ever has been approved.

Ten towns are joining to form an expanded city of Salo in south-western Finland.

All of the municipal councils have approved the merger. The new city will have a population of 55-thousand when it begins operations in 2009.

Nine smaller municipalities around the present city of Salo, Halikko, Kisko, Kiikala, Kuusjoki, Muurla, Perniö, Pertteli, Suomusjärvi and Särkisalo are coming in on the merger.

The past and current government have been urging local authorities to join force to save on administrative costs.

YLE