Yle News' watched as Finland's new right-wing coalition government stepped into their new jobs.
Ronan Browne
Mark B. Odom
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Finland's new government takes office
Finland's newly-formed right-wing coalition — consisting of the Petteri Orpo-led National Coalition Party, the Finns Party, the Swedish People's Party and the Christian Democrats — finally reached agreement on a programme for government after nearly seven weeks of formation talks.
Finland's newly-minted Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and cabinet members at the Presidential Palace on Tuesday. Image: Lehtikuva / Jussi Nukari
Protestors at a demonstration in Helsinki on Sunday afternoon against the incoming government's proposed immigration policies. Image: Yle
Mark B. Odom
That's a wrap
That's all of Tuesday's coverage from Yle News about Petteri Orpo's freshly-minted government.
Scroll down this blog for entries you may have missed and be sure to check in later for more developments on this and other stories.
Mark B. Odom
Orpo administration holds first press conference
At his first press conference as prime minister, Petteri Orpo said he is very satisfied with the ministers in his administration, calling them experienced and knowledgeable.
"Everyone is goal-oriented and everyone is pleased with the government programme and they are ready to implement it," he said.
Orpo acknowledged that the reforms in the government programme were absolutely necessary but also not easy to carry out.
He also asked for naysayers of those policy plans to not only criticise them but to also communicate what they would do instead.
Finland's new prime minister, Petteri Orpo Image: Silja Viitala / Yle
Incoming finance minister Riikka Purra (Finns) said she agreed with that sentiment, saying that work would begin on Wednesday by defending the government programme.
Incoming education minister Anna-Maja Henriksson (SPP), who served under Sanna Marin's (SDP) administration as justice minister, thanked the previous government for doing hard work under demanding circumstances.
Among other questions, the new ministers were asked about their labour market plans, including making an employee's first sick day unpaid, unless otherwise stipulated in their collective agreement.
Anna-Maja Henriksson Image: Antti Aimo-Koivisto / Lehtikuva
Orpo and Henriksson both noted that similar reforms were carried out in Sweden and other Nordic countries.
Orpo and the Christian Democrats chair and Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Sari Essayah, said they wanted to clarify that the proposed rules would not apply to parents who need to stay home to care for an ill child or those who are placed on sick leave for five days or more.
Mark B. Odom
President Niinistö tells new ministers national economy needs strengthening
Finnish President Sauli Niinistö told the newly-minted ministers in Prime Minister Petteri Orpo's (NCP) coalition government that their work is starting amid difficult times.
"You're faced with an exceptionally demanding task. I wish you strength, wisdom and success in your work for Finland and success for its people," Niinistö said during his address.
He made the comments at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki on Tuesday afternoon.
President Sauli Niinistö addressing Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and members of his cabinet at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki on Tuesday. Image: Silja Viitala / Yle
According to Niinistö, the future of Europe is being tested by Russia's ongoing war of aggression in Ukraine, global climate change and economic difficulties.
"Finland needs to continue strongly supporting Ukraine, while also taking care of national security," he said.
The president also referred to climate change and Finland's weak economic situation and also told the ministers the national economy needs strengthening.
Ronan Browne
Sanna Marin's term as PM officially ends
As the Petteri Orpo-led coalition becomes the 77th government of the Republic of Finland, the term of outgoing PM Sanna Marin's (SDP) administration officially comes to an end.
Outgoing prime minister Sanna Marin (SDP) shaking hands with President Sauli Niinistö (on left) at a farewell ceremony on Tuesday at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki. Image: Silja Viitala / Yle
In a tweet, Marin thanked all her ministers and "everyone who helped and supported our work" while noting that her time in government had been "difficult" — referring to the Covid pandemic as well as the effects of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
"The years have been difficult, but the main feeling is gratitude that we have been able to serve the fatherland," Marin wrote.
Ronan Browne
Orpo's cabinet meets for first time
The new government's cabinet of ministers held its first official meeting on Tuesday afternoon, which saw new ministers take the oath of office as well as a judicial oath.
The cabinet is made up of eight MPs from the National Coalition Party, seven from the Finns Party, 2.5 from the Swedish People's Party and 1.5 from the Christian Democrats (as the two smaller parties in the coalition will share one ministerial portfolio).
Newly-appointed government ministers take the oath of office at a meeting on Tuesday afternoon. Image: Silja Viitala / Yle
Finland's new cabinet met officially for the first time on Tuesday. Image: Silja Viitala / Yle
Ronan Browne
Petteri Orpo becomes Finland's new PM
The motion to elect Petteri Orpo as Finland's next Prime Minister was passed by 107 votes to 81. Image: Silja Viitala / Yle
NCP leader Petteri Orpo is Finland's new Prime Minister following a vote by MPs at a special sitting of parliament on Tuesday morning.
Orpo's candidacy was approved on a vote of 107-81, with 11 MPs absent.
"I warmly thank you for the trust you have shown in me," Orpo said after the vote.
