Sofia Virta reveals the amount she earned by participating in a reality show

In recent developments, Finnish politician Sofia Virta has revealed the amount she received while participating in a reality television show. As the leader of the Green Party, Virta's involvement in the summer reality program *Erikoisjoukot* sparked significant public attention and debate. The revelation came after Virta returned to the public eye following her absence from Parliament during the filming period. Her decision to participate in the show was made "for personal reasons," according to Virta, who acknowledged the disappointment felt by many citizens and voters over her absence.

The controversy surrounding Virta’s participation intensified when it became known that she had not disclosed her absence from parliamentary duties beforehand. During a press conference, Virta confirmed that she had informed the party and the government office about her intention to refrain from receiving her parliamentary salary during her time away. However, this raised questions since, typically, such payments cannot be redirected back to the state budget via the Government Office but instead go directly into the national budget. The head of the Parliamentary Administration, Pertti Rauhio, had previously advised against returning the salary to the Government Office.

According to calculations by *Iltalehti*, Virta has now fulfilled her commitment by returning a sum equivalent to nine days' worth of her parliamentary salary and travel allowance. This total amounts to approximately 2,926 euros including taxes. Virta explained that she did not have knowledge of any other method to compensate for the portion of her salary corresponding to her absence, hence her decision to return the funds to the Government Office. She emphasized that her actions were consistent with her earlier statements regarding relinquishing the salary for the days she was absent.

Additionally, Virta clarified that her absence included weekends and Mondays, which also contributed to the calculation of the refund. When asked about the compensation she received from the production company for her participation in *Erikoisjoukot*, Virta stated that she was paid 3,725 euros by the production company. It was previously reported that she could have earned around 4,000 euros from the show.

This situation is not unique to Virta, as another member of parliament, Mikko Lundén from the Finns Party, also participated in the *Erikoisjoukot* filming. According to *Yle Uutiset*, Lundén joined the show for similar reasons as Virta, though he has not publicly commented on his participation. His absence from Parliament was declared due to personal reasons on June 9, and he was marked as absent from the subsequent full session of Parliament.

The involvement of two prominent politicians in a reality TV show has drawn considerable media interest and public scrutiny. While both Virta and Lundén have chosen to disclose their participation, the implications of such absences from parliamentary duties remain under discussion. The issue highlights broader concerns about transparency and accountability among elected officials, particularly regarding how they manage their time and financial interests outside of their official roles.

As the situation unfolds, further details about the specific nature of the personal reasons behind their absences and the potential impact on their political careers will likely emerge. Both Virta and Lundén face ongoing public expectations to provide more clarity on their decisions and ensure continued adherence to ethical standards within their respective parties.