Finland’s 72nd Government is constituted

The President of the Republic appointed Finland’s 72nd Government, led by Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen, on Wednesday, 22 June. At the same time, the President dismissed the ministers of Mari Kiviniemi’s Government. The new Government announced it will pursue an active, initiative-taking foreign policy, in cooperation with the President. Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen emphasised that his Government’s policy on Europe is positive but also determined and realistic.

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Katajanokka, Helsinki is now piloted by Ministers Heidi Hautala (left), Erkki Tuomioja and Alexander Stubb. Photo: Eero Kuosmanen The Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Katajanokka, Helsinki is now piloted by Ministers Heidi Hautala (left), Erkki Tuomioja and Alexander Stubb. Photo: Eero Kuosmanen

During his complimentary visit to the President of the Republic, Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen stated that the new Government will strive to shoulder its international responsibility by pursuing an active, initiative-taking foreign policy, in cooperation with the President. He emphasised that his Government’s policy on Europe is positive but also determined and realistic.

“The European Union is a site of international cooperation and influence for Finland, which increases the country’s welfare and security,” Katainen said.

The members of the Government now appointed climbed the stairs to the House of the Estates, the familiar site of the Government formation talks, to hold their first press conference. Photo: Eero Kuosmanen The members of the Government now appointed climbed the stairs to the House of the Estates, the familiar site of the Government formation talks, to hold their first press conference. Photo: Eero Kuosmanen

The Government held a short press conference at the House of the Estates in the evening. The press conference was preceded by a constituting session where decisions were made concerning the ministers’ division of responsibilities, statutory Cabinet Committee members and ministers’ deputies.

The Government led by Katainen has a total of 19 ministers. Three of the ministers are situated in the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja deals with all Ministry matters except for those falling within the scope of the Minister for European Affairs and Foreign Trade or the Minister for International Development.

Minister for European Affairs and Foreign Trade Alexander Stubb handles the Ministry’s neighbouring area cooperation issues, foreign trade issues and matters falling within the scope of the Secretariat for Nordic Cooperation. Of matters falling within the scope of the Ministry of Finance, Stubb deals with issues related to the Budget Council of the EU. In addition, Stubb handles matters belonging to the Government Secretariat for EU Affairs within the Prime Minister’s Office, with the exception of issues pertaining to the European Council, issues concerning reform of the Treaties on the European Union and issues related to European Union appointments.

Minister of International Development Heidi Hautala deals with the Ministry’s development cooperation affairs and the Government’s ownership steering within the Prime Minister’s Office.

The new Government’s first family portrait on the staircase of the House of the Estates. Photo: Eero Kuosmanen The new Government’s first family portrait on the staircase of the House of the Estates. Photo: Eero Kuosmanen