The National Coalition Party announced ministerial changes on Saturday after its parliamentary group meeting.
Sari Multala (NCP) is Finland's new Environment Minister, while Mari-Leena Talvitie (NCP) is taking over from Multala as Minister of Science and Culture, following Kai Mykkänen's move to become Espoo's mayor.
Multala will become Finland's Minister of Climate and the Environment as her party colleague Mykkänen takes over as Mayor of the City Espoo next year. Multala has been serving a half-term as Minister of Science and Culture.
Following her appointment, Multala, a native of Vantaa, said environmental issues were one of the reasons she initially decided to get involved in politics.
Oulu MP Mari-Leena Talvitie (NCP) will step in to fill Multala's Science and Culture portfolio, a handover initially planned at the halfway point of the government's term in office.
"Science plays a key role in saving the world, building a better future and fostering hope. Through this, Finland can maximise its impact despite its small size," Talvitie said at a press briefing on Saturday.
Talvitie has said she is the first person in her family to earn a university degree.
Kai Mykkänen (NCP) was elected mayor of his home city of Espoo at a council meeting in October. He will begin his duties on 1 February 2025 following the retirement of the current mayor Jukka Mäkelä, who has served Espoo since 2011.
Ex-athlete Mika Poutala (CD) will meanwhile become Finland's next Minister of Youth, Sport and Physical Activity. The Christian Democrats nominated him for the post at a party meeting on Saturday.
Poutala, a former speed skater, said he plans to invite people to get a move on.
"Going for a walk with seniors, sledding with families. I also want to hear from young people about what they expect from decision makers," Poutala stated in his acceptance speech.
During government formation talks the Christian Democrats and Swedish People's Party — both junior partners in the coalition — agreed to share the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Physical Activity portfolio for the government's latter two years.
Poutala, a first-term MP from Uusimaa, will take over from current Swedish People's Party minister Sandra Bergqvist next year.
Saturday also saw Christian Democratic vice-chair Katriina Hiippavuori announce her defection to the NCP.
The party's discussions surrounding the Middle East conflict played a role in her decision.
"The views on the Middle East situation within the Christian Democrats were largely based on Christian zionism, and I felt there was little room for other perspectives," she said.