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Annika Saarikko
Annika Saarikko in 2021 (cropped).jpg
Saarikko in 2021
36th Deputy Prime Minister of Finland
In office
10 September 2020 – 20 June 2023
Prime Minister Sanna Marin
Preceded by Matti Vanhanen
Succeeded by Riikka Purra
Minister of Finance
In office
27 May 2021 – 20 June 2023
Prime Minister Sanna Marin
Preceded by Matti Vanhanen
Succeeded by Riikka Purra
Minister of Science and Culture
In office
6 August 2020 – 27 May 2021
Prime Minister Sanna Marin
Preceded by Hanna Kosonen
Succeeded by Antti Kurvinen
In office
6 June 2019 – 9 August 2019
Prime Minister Antti Rinne
Preceded by Sampo Terho
Succeeded by Hanna Kosonen
Minister of Family Affairs and Social Services
In office
10 July 2017 – 6 June 2019
Prime Minister Juha Sipilä
Preceded by Juha Rehula
Succeeded by Krista Kiuru
Leader of the Centre Party
In office
5 September 2020 – 15 June 2024
Preceded by Katri Kulmuni
Succeeded by Antti 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 (age 41)
Oripää, Finland
Political party Centre
Spouse
Erkki Papunen
(m. 2014)
Alma mater University of Turku

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.

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. She was elected to the Parliament of Finland in 2011 Finnish parliamentary election.

From 10 July 2017 to 6 June 2019 Saarikko served as the minister of family affairs and social services. 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. 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.

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

Personal life

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

Other activities

European Union organizations

  • European Investment Bank (EIB), Ex-Officio Member of the Board of Governors (since 2021)
  • European Stability Mechanism (ESM), Member of the Board of Governors (since 2021)

International organizations

  • Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), Ex-Officio Member of the Board of Governors (since 2021)
  • European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Ex-Officio Member of the Board of Governors (since 2021)
  • Nordic Investment Bank (NIB), Ex-Officio Member of the Board of Governors (since 2021)
  • World Bank, Ex-Officio Member of the Board of Governors (since 2021)

See also

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