“When it has come to light that campaign funds obtained by my supporters’ association were not appropriate, I felt it was best that I step down from RAY,” he told YLE.

”I should have understood that as chair of the association, I could not accept campaign contributions that came from RAY funding,” he said.

Vihriälä added that no one behaved illegally.

He said he hopes his resignation will prevent RAY from being branded in the campaign financing furor.

Vihriälä is a former MP and the current deputy speaker of the Seinäjoki city council. He served as the head of RAY for 18 years. Deputy chair Juha Eskelinen is to take over as acting chair.

Youth Foundation Chair Steps Down