Annika Saarikko

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. She served as the leader of the Finnish Centre Party from 2020 to 2024.[1][2]

Annika Saarikko
Saarikko in 2021
36th Deputy Prime Minister of Finland
In office
10 September 2020 – 20 June 2023
Prime MinisterSanna Marin
Preceded byMatti Vanhanen
Succeeded byRiikka Purra
Minister of Finance
In office
27 May 2021 – 20 June 2023
Prime MinisterSanna Marin
Preceded byMatti Vanhanen
Succeeded byRiikka Purra
Minister of Science and Culture
In office
6 August 2020 – 27 May 2021
Prime MinisterSanna Marin
Preceded byHanna Kosonen
Succeeded byAntti Kurvinen
In office
6 June 2019 – 9 August 2019
Prime MinisterAntti Rinne
Preceded bySampo Terho
Succeeded byHanna Kosonen
Minister of Family Affairs and Social Services
In office
10 July 2017 – 6 June 2019
Prime MinisterJuha Sipilä
Preceded byJuha Rehula
Succeeded byKrista Kiuru
Leader of the Centre Party
In office
5 September 2020 – 15 June 2024
Preceded byKatri Kulmuni
Succeeded byAntti Kaikkonen
Member of Finnish Parliament
for Finland Proper
Assumed office
20 April 2011
Personal details
Born
Annika Virpi Irene Saarikko

(1983-11-10) 10 November 1983
Oripää, Finland
Political partyCentre
Spouse
Erkki Papunen
​
(m. 2014)​
Alma materUniversity of Turku

Early life and education

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

On 14 June 2010, Saarikko was elected to the vice chair of the Centre Party.[3] She was elected to the Parliament of Finland in 2011 Finnish parliamentary election.[4]

From 10 July 2017 to 6 June 2019 Saarikko served as the minister of family affairs and social services.[5] On 6 June 2019, she was appointed 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.[6] 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.[7]

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.[8] In February 2024, Saarikko announced that she will not seek another term as leader at the party conference in June 2024.[9]

Personal life

Saarikko has two children and is expecting a third in July 2024.[9]

Other activities

European Union organizations

International organizations

References
  1. "Saarikko beats Kulmuni in Centre Party leadership vote". Yle Uutiset. 5 September 2020. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  2. "Centre Party picks Kaikkonen as new leader, NCP re-elects Orpo". yle. yle.fi. 15 June 2024. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  3. "Mari Kiviniemi chosen as new Centre Party leader and prospective PM". Helsingin Sanomat. 14 June 2012. Retrieved 12 March 2012.
  4. Annika Saarikko. Edustajamatrikkeli. Kansanedustajat 1907 –. Eduskunta (Parliament of Finland). (in Finnish)
  5. "Annika Saarikko as Minister of Family Affairs and Social Services in Sipilä's Government". Sosiaali- ja terveysministeriö.
  6. "Hanna Kosonen appointed as Minister of Science and Culture". Valtioneuvosto. Retrieved 9 August 2019..
  7. "Saarikko kuvaa olevansa uudenlainen valtiovarainministeri – nosti mediatilaisuudessa esiin asian, johon on "kertakaikkiaan turhautunut"". Demokraatti (in Finnish). Retrieved 27 May 2021..
  8. "Keskusta vetää johtopäätökset tuloksestaan: jättäytyy suosiolla oppositioon" (in Finnish). Yle. 3 April 2023. Retrieved 16 February 2024..
  9. "Saarikko to relinquish Centre Party leadership" (in Finnish). Yle. 16 February 2024. Retrieved 16 February 2024..
  10. Board of Governors European Investment Bank (EIB).
  11. Board of Governors: Annika Saarikko European Stability Mechanism.
  12. Board of Governors Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).
  13. Board of Governors European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).
  14. Board of Governors Nordic Investment Bank (NIB).
  15. Board of Governors World Bank.


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