(Suomen Tasavalta/ Republic of Finland)

NEW GOVERNMENT SINCE 20 SEPTEMBER 2000 The government is formed by the SDP, KOK, VAS, SFP and VIHR. Finland is a member of the European Union.

 

	Paavo Tapio Lipponen - Prime Minister Born : April 23, 1941 Turtola, Finland Education/Profession : Master of Political Sciences, MP. Editor of the student newspaper Ylioppilaslehti 1963-65. Freelance reporter for the Finnish Broadcasting Company YLE 1965-67. SDP research and international affairs secretary and planning chief of the political section 1967-79. Special Adviser to the Prime Minister (Political Affairs) 1979-82. Managing director of Viestintä Teema Oy 1988-95. Head of the Finnish Institute of International Affairs 1989-91. Party : SDP (Suomen Sosialidemokraattinen Poulue / Finnish Socialdemocratic Party) Political experience : Member of Parliament 1983-87 and since 1991. Member of Helsinki City Council 1985-95. Member of the SDP Party Committee 1987-90 and of the Party Council 1990-93. Chairman of the SDP Helsinki district 1985-92. SDP Party Chairman since 1993. Prime Minister since April 13, 1995. Note : Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Outokumpu Oy 1989-91
	Sauli Väinämö Niinistö - Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance Born : August 24, 1948 Salo, Finland Education/Profession : Senior secretary 1976-98 and Justice Court of Appeal. Own law office in Salo 1978-88. 1994-95, Turku Court of Appeal. Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development 1999. Party : KOK (Kansallinen Kokoomus / National Coalition) Political experience : Member of Salo City Board 1977-88. Member of Salo City Council 1977-92. Member of Parliament since 1987. Member of the KOK Party Council 1979-81.Council chairman of Salo City Council 1989-92. Chairman of the parliamentary Constitutional Law Committee 1993-95. Minister of Justice April 13, 1995 - February 2, 1996. Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance since February 2, 1996. Chairman of the European Democrat Union (EDU) since 1998.
	Suvi-Anne Siimes - Minister at the Ministry of Finance Born : June 1, 1963 Helsinki, Finland Education/Profession : Several further education and research scholarships 1990-93. Secretary 1990-91 and Executive Board Member 1991-93 of the Finnish Society for Economic Research. Secretary of the Association of Professors and Docents in Economics. 1990-94 Temporary teaching posts at the University of Helsinki and Helsinki School of Economics and Business Administration 1993-98. Member of the Representative Body of the Cooperative Retail Company Elanto since 1995 (absent for the duration of ministerial duties). Member of the Supervisory Board of Kemira 1996-97. Party : Vasemmistoliitto / Left Alliance Political experience : Local Councillor of Pohja Municipality 1993-98. Second Vice-Chairman of Pohja Municipal Board 1993-98. Member of the Uusimaa District Committee, Vice-Chairman of the Uusimaa District Organization and Member of the Uusimaa District Executive Committee of the Left Alliance 1994-95. Chairman of the Left Women since 1995. First Vice-Chairman of the Left Alliance 1995-98. Chairman of the Left Alliance since 1998. Minister of Cultural Affairs September 4, 1998 - April 15, 1999. Member of Parliament since 1999. Minister at the Ministry of Finance and Minister of the Environment (housing) since April 15, 1999.
	Dr.Erkki Sakari Tuomioja - Minister of Foreign Affairs Born : July 1, 1946 Helsinki, Finland Education/Profession : Doctor of Political Sciences, Master of Economic and Business Administration, MP. TV-Reporter 1967-69. Economic and Market Researcher in Rautaruukki Oy 1975-77. Editor-in-Chief of the periodical Ydin 1977-91. Vice-Chairman of Paasikivi Society since 1995. Docent of Political History at the University of Helsinki since 1997. Party : SDP (Suomen Sosialidemokraattinen Poulue / Finnish Socialdemocratic Party) Political experience : Member of Parliament 1970-79 and since 1991.Member of the SDP Party Council 1987-93. Vice-Chairman of SDP's parliamentary faction 1991-96, Chairman 1996-99. Chairman of the parliamentary Grand Committee 1995-99. Minister of Trade and Industry April 15, 1999 - February 25, 2000. Minister of Foreign Affairs since February 25, 2000. Note : Member of the Executive Council of the Workers´ Sport Federation, TUL 1971-79. Member of the Supervisory Board of the Cooperative Retail Society Elanto 1976-99, Chairman 1983-96. Member of the Supervisory Board of Neste Oy 1976-98. Member of the Finnish Olympic Committee 1980-92. Member of the Supervisory Board of Finnfund 1980-99. Member of the Representative Body of the Helsinki Telephone Company (HPY) 1984-99. Chairman of the Committee of One Hundred in Finland 1988-94. Chairman of the Housing Reform Association 1988-94. Member of the Supervisory Board of Fortum Oy 1998-99
	Kimmo Kalevi Immeri Sasi - Minister of Foreign Trade Born : February 21, 1952 Tampere, Finland Education/Profession : Master of Laws, M.Sc.(Econ.), MP. International private law assistant 1975-79. Chairman of the University of Helsinki Student Union 1976-77. Lawyer at Lasse Nieminen, Attorneys-at-Law 1980-82.Own legal offices since 1982. Party : KOK (Kansallinen Kokoomus / National Coalition) Political experience : Member of the Tampere City Council 1977-2000. Member of Parliament since 1983. Chairman of the Taxation Department of the parliamentary Committee of Finance 1984-99. Chairman of the National Coalition Party's parliamentary faction 1991-93, Vice-chairman 1993-99. Chairman of the Parliamentary Management Group for Data Administration 1991-99. Vice-chairman of the parliamentary Grand Committee 1995-99 Minister of Transport January 15, 1999 - April 15, 1999. Minister of Foreign Trade and Minister at the Ministry of Trade and Industry since April 15, 1999 and Minister at the Prime Minister's Office since July 1, 2000.
	Hannu Erkki Johannes Koskinen - Minister of Justice Born : December 10, 1954 Janakkala, Finland Education/Profession : Master of Laws, MP. Lawyer with the Building Workers' Union 1982-85. Lawyer with the Confederation of Finnish Trade Unions SAK 1985-87. Chairman of the Supervisory Board of VR-Group Ltd 1995-99. Party : SDP (Suomen Sosialidemokraattinen Poulue / Finnish Socialdemocratic Party) Political experience : Member of Janakkala Municipal Council 1977-88. Presenter at the Ministry of the Interior 1980-82. Political Secretary of the Minister of Labour 1987-88. Ministerial Secretary at the Ministry of Labour 1989. Legislative Secretary of the SDP parliamentary group 1989-91. Member of Hämeenlinna Town Council since 1989. Member of Parliament since 1991. Minister of Justice since April 15, 1999.
	Ville Heimo Antero Itälä - Minister of the Interior Born : May 10, 1959 Luumäki, Finland Education/Profession : Master of Laws, lawyer, MP. Acting Writ Server of Turku City Court for fixed-term periods 1982-84. Acting Rural Police Chief for the district of Pöytyä for fixed-term periods 1984-86. Acting Police Commissioner of Naantali for fixed-term periods 1985-88. Acting Town Court Prosecutor of Naantali for fixed-term periods 1985-88. Rural Police Chief for the district of Sipoo in summer 1985. Notary of Vehmaa Judicial District and Acting Circuit Judge 1990. Working in a law office since 1988. Own law office since 1995. Party : KOK (Kansallinen Kokoomus / National Coalition) Political experience : Member of Turku City Council 1985-96. Member of Turku City Board 1992 and Chairperson 1993-95. Member of Parliament since 1995. Chairman of the parliamentary Constitutional Law Committee 1996-2000. Minister of the Interior since September 1, 2000. Note : Chairperson of the Union of Commercial Students in Finland 1979. Member of the Supervisory Board of Fortum Oy since 1999-2000. Chairperson of the European Movement in Finland since 2000.
	Martti Allan Korhonen - Minister of Regional and Municipal Affairs Born : February 27, 1953 Oulu, Finland Education/Profession : Car Mechanic 1971-85. Chief Shop Steward 1986-91 Party : Vasemmistoliitto / Left Alliance Political experience : Member of Oulu City Council since 1986 (absent for the duration of ministerial duties). Chairman of the Council of the Left Alliance in Pohjois-Pohjanmaa district 1990-92. Vice-Chairman of the Left Alliance since 1995. Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Rautaruukki Oy 1997-99. Member of Parliament since 1991. Vice-Chairman of the Left Alliance's parliamentary faction 1995, Chairman 1997-99. Minister of Regional and Municipal Affairs since April 15, 1999.
	Jan-Erik Enestam - Minister of Defence Born : March 12, 1947 Västanfjärd Education/Profession : Master of Political Science, MP Party : SFP/RKP (Svenska Folkpartiet/Ruotsalainen Kansanpuolue / Swedish People's Party) Political experience : Tourism researcher at Åland Provincial Government 1972-74. Researcher at the Finnish Tourist Board 1974. Head of office, Åland Provincial Government 1974-78. Municipal Manager of Västanfjärd 1978-83. Project manager with the Nordic Council of Ministers 1983-91. Chairman of Västanfjärd Municipal Council 1989-96. Member of Parliament since 1991. Defence Minister's special advisor 1990-91. Defence Minister January 2, 1995 - April 13, 1995. Minister at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health (equality affairs) January 2, 1995 - April 13, 1995. Party Chairman since 1998. Minister of the Interior April 13, 1995 - April 15, 1999. Minister of Defence and Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Nordic cooperation and cooperation with the neighbouring areas) since April 15, 1999.
	Maija-Liisa Rask - Minister of Education Born : January 28, 1951 Turku, Finland Education/Profession : Nurse Training Teacher, Nurse, MP. Nurse at Ulleråkers Hospital in Uppsala, Sweden 1974-77. Nurse in the service of Town Kemi 1981-84. Nurse Training Teacher at the Kemi Health Care Institute since 1984. Party : SDP (Suomen Sosialidemokraattinen Poulue / Finnish Socialdemocratic Party) Political experience : Member of Kemi Town Council since 1985. Member of Parliament since 1991. Minister of Education since April 15, 1999. Note : Member of the Representative Body of Life Assurance Company Suomi 1991-99. Vice-Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Kemijoki Oy 1997-99.
	Suvi Helmi Tellervo Lindén - Minister of Cultural Affairs Born : April 19, 1962 Helsinki, Finland Education/Profession : Master of Arts, MP.Programmer at the ADP-Centre of Oulu 1990-95. Party : KOK (Kansallinen Kokoomus / National Coalition) Political experience : Member of Oulu Town Council since 1985 and Member of Town Board 1989-90. Chairman of the National Coalition Party in Pohjois-Pohjanmaa District 1992-95. Member of the Board of the National Coalition Party 1992-95. Member of Parliament since 1995. Vice-Chairman of the Women's Federation of the National Coalition Party 1998-99. Minister of Cultural Affairs since April 15, 1999. Note : Member of the Supervisory Board of Arina Yhtymä 1990-99. Member of the Executive Committee of the North Ostrobothnia Federation 1993-96. Chairman of Oulu Swimmers 1994-99. Member of the Housing Committee 1995-99. Vice-Chairman of the Supervisory Board of VR-Group Ltd 1995-99. Chairman of the Council of the North Ostrobothnia Federation 1997-99. Member of the Board of Oulun Puhelin Oy 1997-99. Chairman of the Women's Social Association 1997-99. Chairman of the Board of Directors of Oulu Polytechnic 1998-99. Chairman of the Finnish Rinkball Federation 1998-99. Representative of Europe at the Board of WADA (World Antidoping Agency) since 2000. Representative of the EU at the Supervisory Board of WADA since 2000.
	Matti Kalevi Hemilä - Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Born : September 21, 1952 Kärsämäki, Finland Education/Profession : Ph.D in agricultural economics, Permanent Secretary. Research assistant at the University of Helsinki 1977-79. Researcher at the Agricultural Economics Research Institute 1980-82. Director General of the National Board of Agriculture 1986-92. Party : Non allied Political experience : Specialist of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry 1982-85. Head of Unit of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry 1985-86. Full-time secretary to the Agriculture 2000 committee 1985-86. Director-in-chief of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry 1993-99. Counsellor for agriculture, fishery and forestry, Permanent Representation of Finland to the EU 1993-95. Minister of Agriculture and Forestry since April 13, 1995. Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of the Agriculture and Forestry since 1999. Note : Member of a number of Government committees and working groups on agriculture and rural policies.
	Olli-Pekka Heinonen - Minister of Transport and Communications Born : June 25, 1964 Eurajoki, Finland Education/Profession : Master of Laws, MP. Part-time teacher at Eurajoki secondary school 1985-86. Party : KOK (Kansallinen Kokoomus / National Coalition) Political experience : Member of the Board of the National Coalition Youth League 1987 and Vice-Chairman 1988-89. Planning secretary to the KOK parliamentary group 1990-91. Special advisor to the Minister of Education 1991-94. Minister of Education February 11, 1994 - April 13, 1995. Member of Parliament since 1995. Minister of Education April 13, 1995 - April 15, 1999. Minister of Transport and Communications since April 15, 1999. Note : Virtuaalikokoomus, the first Internet-based local party association, Chairman since 1995. Finland 80 Committee, Chairman 1996-98. Finland in Europe association, Chairman 1996-99. Member of the Supervisory Board of the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) since 1997. Chairman of the Nuori Suomi (Young Finland) Campaign 1997-99.
	Dr.Taru Sinikka Mönkäre - Minister of Trade and Industry Born : March 6, 1947 Sippola, Finland Education/Profession : Doctor of Medicine and Surgery, assistant senior physician, MP. Assistant physician at Salo Regional Hospital 1973-74. Health centre physician, City of Turku, 1974-75. Ward physician at Imatra Regional Hospital 1975-77. Ward physician at Tiuru Hospital 1977-91 and specialist in occupational lung diseases 1985-91. Assistant senior physician at Imatra health centre since 1991. Party : SDP (Suomen Sosialidemokraattinen Poulue / Finnish Socialdemocratic Party) Political experience : Member of Imatra City Council 1981-95. Chairman of Imatra City Council 1985-86 and 1994-95. Member of Imatra City Board 1981-83. Member of Parliament 1987-91 and since 1995. Minister of Social Affairs and Health and Minister at the Ministry of the Environment (housing and building) April 13,1995 - April 15,1999. Minister of Labour since April 15, 1999 - February 25, 2000 Minister of Trade and Industry since February 25, 2000
	Maija Riitta Perho - Minister of Social Affairs and Health Born : May 29, 1948 Ypäjä, Finland Education/Profession : Master of Political Sciences, MP.Planning secretary of the City of Turku Health Care Center 1975-79. Planning secretary at the Planning Department of Turku City Office 1979-85. Head of Social Welfare at the Centre of Social Services in the City of Turku 1985-2000. Party : KOK (Kansallinen Kokoomus / National Coalition) Political experience : Member of the Turku City Council, 1981-85. Member of Parliament since 1991. Vice Chairman of the National Coalition Party 1993-95. Party Secretary of the National Coalition Party since 1995. Vice-Chairman of the Social Affairs Committee of the Parliament 1995-99. Minister of Social Affairs and Health since April 15, 1999. Note : Member of the Supervisory Board of Kemira 1993-96. Member of the Delegation of the A-Clinic Foundation 1993-99. Member of the Board of Directors of the Finnish Association on Mental Retardation 1994-99. Member of the Board of Directors of Finland´s Slot Machine Association, RAY 1995-99. Member of the Supervisory Board of Leonia/Postipankki 1996-99. Member of the Board of Directors of the Alzheimer Central Federation 1999.
	Osmo Heikki Kristian Soininvaara - Minister of Health and Social Services Born : September 2, 1951 Helsinki, Finland Education/Profession : Licentiate in Social Sciences, entrepreneur, MP. Researcher at the National Board of Post and Telegraph 1971-74. Research Planner at the Academy of Finland 1974-75. Acting Lecturer in Statistics at the University of Helsinki 1975-78, Assistant 1978-85 and Acting Associate Professor 1985. Editor-in-Chief of a weekly newspaper Vihreä Lanka 1984-85. Entrepreneur since 1985 Party : VIHR (Vihreä Liitto / Green Alliance) Political experience : Member of Helsinki City Council since 1985.Member of Parliament since 1987-91 and since 1995. Chairperson of the Green Parliamentary Group 1997-99. Minister of Health and Social Services since April 14, 2000. Note : Member of Helsinki City Board 1985-86 and 1991-95 and Second Vice-Chairperson 1993-95. Member of the Energy Policy Council 1991-93. Second Vice-Chairperson of the Council of the Helsinki University Central Hospital 1993-96. Member of the Board of the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities 1993-95. Member of the Large Retail Outlets Task Force 1996-97. Chairperson of the Helsinki Audit Committee since 1998
	Tarja Katarina Filatov - Minister of Labour Born : August 9, 1963 Hämeenlinna, Finland Education/Profession : Information Officer, Student of Social Sciences, MP. Party : SDP (Suomen Sosialidemokraattinen Poulue / Finnish Socialdemocratic Party) Political experience : Member of Hämeenlinna City Council 1989-2000. Chairman of the Social Democratic Youth Organisation 1990-1994. Member of the Executive Council of the Social Democratic Party 1990-1996. Member of the Steering Group of the European Social Democratic Youth Organisation 1991-1994. Member of Hämeenlinna City Board 1993-1995. Member of Parliament since 1995 Chairman of the Social Democratic Women since 1999. Vice-Chairman of the Social Democratic Party Parliamentary Faction 1999-2000. Minister of Labour since February 25, 2000. Note : Member of the National Youth Council 1989-1995. Member of the Finnish Delegation to the United Nations 1992. Member of the Board of the Kössi Foundation 1993-1995. Vice-Chairman of the Board of the Demari newspaper 1995-1996. Chairman of the Käpylä Rehabilitation Centre of the Association for the Handicapped 1996-2000. Member of the Board of the International Solidarity Foundation 1997-2000. Chairman of the Taksvärkki Association 1998-2000. Member of the Supervisory Board of Alko Oy 1995-2000. Member of the Supervisory Board of the Finnish Broadcasting Company 1995-2000 and Vice-Chairman 1999-2000. Member of the Board of the Häme Electricity Company 1998-2000.
	Satu Maijastiina Hassi - Minister of the Environment Born : June 3, 1951 Helsinki, Finland Education/Profession : Licentiate in Technology, Writer, MP. Planning Engineer and Research Engineer of Oy Tampella Ab Tamrock 1979-81. Assistant and Temporary Senior Assistant of the Tampere University of Technology 1981-85. Full-time Writer since 1985. Party : VIHR (Vihreä Liitto / Green Alliance) Political experience : Member of Tampere City Council 1985-2000. Vice-Chairman of the Green League 1989-91. Member of Parliament since 1991. Chairman of the Green League's parliamentary faction 1991-93 and 1997. Minister of the Environment and Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Development cooperation) since April 15, 1999. Note : Member of the Supervisory Board of Fortum Oy 1998-99.