Finland Times

 

New ministers Olli Rehn, Kimmo Tiilikainen, Anu Vehviläinen, Prime Minister Juha Sipilä, Annika Saarikko, Anne Berner Juha Rehula (right.) Photo – Lehtikuva.

The three-party new government on Thursday finalised a list of 14-member cabinet.

 

Following the announcement, the government negotiators as revealed through an official government statement had agreed to an amendment pertaining the division of responsibilities among the ministers.

 

The largest parliamentary party Suomen Keskusta is to have six ministers in the new cabinet, the second largest parliamentary party, the Perussuomalaiset (Finns Party) will have five and the Kansanllinen Kokoomus (National Coalition Party) will have four ministers.

 

From the Keskusta, European Commissioner Olli Rehn will assume the Ministry of Economic Affairs docket.

 

The Minister of Economic Affairs according to the government statement is the head of the Ministry of Employment and the Economy and handles matters falling under the Ministry, except for matters that are covered by the Minister of Justice and Employment.

 

Anne Berner will head the Ministry of Transport and Communications. According to the government, the Minister of Transport and Communications is also responsible for matters related to the autonomy of the Åland Islands.

 

Juha Rehula and Annika Saarikko will share the responsibilities in the Ministry of Family Affairs and Social Services. 

 

The Minister of Family Affairs and Social Services is responsible for matters covered by the Department for Social and Health Services, but not those related to pharmaceuticals. The Minister is also charged with matters falling under the Department for Promotion of Welfare and Health and for matters related to equality.

 

Kimmo Tiilikainen will take over as the Minister of Agriculture and Environment. The Minister of Agriculture and the Environment is the head of both the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, and the Ministry of the Environment.

 

Anu Vehviläinen is set to become the Minister of Local Government and Reform and will be responsible for matters related to local government, regional administration, personnel and governance policy, public sector ICT, the government financial controller's function and statistical services covered by the Ministry of Finance.

 

The chair of Finns Party, Timo Soini will occupy the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Minister for Foreign Affairs handles matters falling under the Ministry, including matters related to the Arctic but not matters that are covered by the Minister for Foreign Trade and Development. 

 

Jari Lindströmn will be the new Minister of Justice Employment and the Ministry of Defence will be overseen by Jussi Niinistö. Hanna Mäntylä will serve as the Minister of Social Affairs and Health. 

 

The chair of the National Coalition Party and the outgoing Prime Minister Alexander Stubb will head the Ministry of Finance.

 

SanniGrahn-Laasonen will preside over the Ministry of Education and Culture while Petteri Orpo will serve as the Minister of the Interior. 

 

LenitaToivakka is set take over as the Minister for Foreign Trade and Development and will be responsible for matters related to trade policy, development cooperation and Nordic cooperation.

 

President Sauli Niinistö formally appoints the new government today.