Finland Times

 

Nine cabinet members , including two prime ministers had to resign from their posts for various reasons since the year 1990.

 

Although one of the prime ministers, Matti Vanhanen of Keskusta (Centre Party) and Education  Minister Sari Sarkomaa of Kokoomus (National Coalition Party) had resigned on June 22, 2010 and December 11, 2008 respectively due to  physical and family grounds, the rest seven were forced to step down following various allegations and charges brought against them.

 

The last incident of resignation took place on Friday when the International Development  Minister and Vihreät (Green Party) lawmaker, Heidi Hautala  announced to resign from the cabinet taking the responsibility of influencing a state-owned company by her assistant to withdraw the police complaint submitted against Greenpeace activists last year.

 

On April 1, 2008, the then foreign minister, Ilkka Kanerva was forced to resign following the scandal raised over sending an erotic text message to a dancer Johanna Tukianen.

 

Former Prime Minister Anneli Jäätteenmäki of the Centre Party submitted resignation on charge of disclosing secret official documents on June 24, 2003.

 

The former PM reportedly disclosed the secret written conversation between the Prime Minister Paavo Lipponen and the USA president George W. Bush.

 

Cultural minister Suvi Linden of the National Coalition Party resigned on May 30, 2002 as controversy was created following a proposal placed by the minister in parliament seeking support for a golf yard.

 

The minister herself was a share holder of the Golf Yard company.

 

On January 14, 1999, The Transport and Communications minister Matti Aura of National Coalition Party had to resign as question was raised over a deal with Sonera telecom company.

 

Arja Alho, a Finance Minister of the Suomen Sosialidemokraattinen Puolue (Social Democratic Party) had to resign on October 9, 1997 following allegation of another deal between former president of STS bank and former party president Ulf Sundqvist.

 

Industry minister Kauko Juhantalo of Centre party resigned on August 2, 1992 as the minister was convicted in bribery charges and sentenced to conditional imprisonment.