ANKARA: Finland’s new prime minister was sworn into office Tuesday, making her the world’s youngest sitting head of government, Anadolu Agency reported.
Following last week’s resignation of Prime Minister Antti Rinne after a key coalition partner withdrew its support due to a lack of trust, the country’s parliament chose 34-year-old Sanna Marin, who served as transport and communications minister in the outgoing administration, as the country’s next leader and she formed a new government with 12 female and seven male ministers.
Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto maintained his post in the new government. Earlier this year, he reportedly tried to pressure an official at the Foreign Ministry into bringing back Finnish children of Daesh members from the al-Hol refugee camp in Syria.
Maria Ohisalo, leader of the Green League party, will continue to serve as interior minister, the most influential authority on immigration issues.
Ville Skinnari, a representative of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) of Finland who is known for his support of Turkish candidates as well as for his moderate approach on relations with Turkey, has been appointed minister for development cooperation and foreign trade.
The new prime minister is expected to be elected leader of the SDP at the party’s congress next spring.
If Marin heads the SDP, the leaders of all five parties forming the coalition government will be women.
On Sunday, former Prime Minister Alexander Stubb celebrated the new coalition on Twitter.
“Shows that #Finland is a modern and progressive country,” he said.
— BERNAMA
