Summary
Annika Virpi Irene Saarikko (born 10 November 1983) is a Finnish politician and minister who served as the Deputy Prime Minister of Finland from 2020 to 2023. On 5 September 2020, she was elected as the leader of the Finnish Centre Party.[1]
Annika Saarikko | |
|---|---|
 Saarikko in 2021 | |
| 36th Deputy Prime Minister of Finland | |
| In office 10 September 2020 – 20 June 2023 | |
| Prime Minister | Sanna Marin |
| Preceded by | Matti Vanhanen |
| Succeeded by | Riikka Purra |
| Minister of Finance | |
| In office 27 May 2021 – 20 June 2023 | |
| Prime Minister | Sanna Marin |
| Preceded by | Matti Vanhanen |
| Succeeded by | Riikka Purra |
| Minister of Science and Culture | |
| In office 6 August 2020 – 27 May 2021 | |
| Prime Minister | Sanna Marin |
| Preceded by | Hanna Kosonen |
| Succeeded by | Antti Kurvinen |
| In office 6 June 2019 – 9 August 2019 | |
| Prime Minister | Antti Rinne |
| Preceded by | Sampo Terho |
| Succeeded by | Hanna Kosonen |
| Minister of Family Affairs and Social Services | |
| In office 10 July 2017 – 6 June 2019 | |
| Prime Minister | Juha Sipilä |
| Preceded by | Juha Rehula |
| Succeeded by | Krista Kiuru |
| Leader of the Centre Party | |
| Assumed office 5 September 2020 | |
| Preceded by | Katri Kulmuni |
| Member of Finnish Parliament for Finland Proper | |
| Assumed office 20 April 2011 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Annika Virpi Irene Saarikko 10 November 1983 Oripää, Finland |
| Political party | Centre |
| Spouse |
Erkki Papunen (m. 2014) |
| Alma mater | University of Turku |
Early life and education edit
Saarikko was born in Oripää, Finland. She has a bachelor's degree in educational science and a master's degree in philosophy (majoring in media studies) from the University of Turku.
Political career edit
On 14 June 2010, Saarikko was elected to the vice chair of the Centre Party.[2] She was elected to the Parliament of Finland in 2011 Finnish parliamentary election.[3]
From 10 July 2017 to 6 June 2019 Saarikko served as the minister of family affairs and social services.[4] On 6 June 2019, she was appointed as minister of science and culture. Saarikko took maternity leave on 9 August 2019, and the position was filled by Hanna Kosonen until Saarikko reassumed her post in August 2020.[5] She became Deputy Prime Minister of Finland, traditionally held by the leader of the second largest party in the government coalition, in September 2020. In May 2021 Saarikko became Minister of Finance.[6]
Saarikko led the Centre Party to the 2023 Finnish parliamentary election, in which the party lost 8 seats and finished fourth. Due to the election defeat, Saarikko announced that the party would not seek a place in the government.[7] In February 2024, Saarikko announced that she will not seek another term as leader at the party conference in June 2024.[8]
Personal life edit
Saarikko has two children and is expecting a third in July 2024.[8]
Other activities edit
European Union organizations edit
- European Investment Bank (EIB), Ex-Officio Member of the Board of Governors (since 2021)[9]
- European Stability Mechanism (ESM), Member of the Board of Governors (since 2021)[10]
International organizations edit
- Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), Ex-Officio Member of the Board of Governors (since 2021)[11]
- European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Ex-Officio Member of the Board of Governors (since 2021)[12]
- Nordic Investment Bank (NIB), Ex-Officio Member of the Board of Governors (since 2021)[13]
- World Bank, Ex-Officio Member of the Board of Governors (since 2021)[14]
References edit
- ^ "Saarikko beats Kulmuni in Centre Party leadership vote". Yle Uutiset. 5 September 2020. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
- ^ "Mari Kiviniemi chosen as new Centre Party leader and prospective PM". Helsingin Sanomat. 14 June 2012. Retrieved 12 March 2012.
- ^ Annika Saarikko. Edustajamatrikkeli. Kansanedustajat 1907 –. Eduskunta (Parliament of Finland). (in Finnish)
- ^ "Annika Saarikko as Minister of Family Affairs and Social Services in Sipilä's Government". Sosiaali- ja terveysministeriö.
- ^ "Hanna Kosonen appointed as Minister of Science and Culture". Valtioneuvosto. Retrieved 9 August 2019..
- ^ "Saarikko kuvaa olevansa uudenlainen valtiovarainministeri – nosti mediatilaisuudessa esiin asian, johon on "kertakaikkiaan turhautunut"". Demokraatti (in Finnish). Retrieved 27 May 2021..
- ^ "Keskusta vetää johtopäätökset tuloksestaan: jättäytyy suosiolla oppositioon" (in Finnish). Yle. 3 April 2023. Retrieved 16 February 2024..
- ^ a b "Saarikko to relinquish Centre Party leadership" (in Finnish). Yle. 16 February 2024. Retrieved 16 February 2024..
- ^ Board of Governors European Investment Bank (EIB).
- ^ Board of Governors: Annika Saarikko European Stability Mechanism.
- ^ Board of Governors Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).
- ^ Board of Governors European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).
- ^ Board of Governors Nordic Investment Bank (NIB).
- ^ Board of Governors World Bank.