New govt formed led by Marin as PM

President Sauli Niinistö on Tuesday appointed the new government led by Prime Minister Sanna Marin, said an official press release.

Earlier, parliament confirmed Marin, 34, as Prime Minister on Tuesday afternoon in a vote 99 for, 70 against. There were no abstentions of vote, but 30 MPs were absent.

Before appointing the 76th Government, the President on the same occasion, released the ministers of interim government led by outgoing Prime Minister Antti Rinne.

The cabinet was formed with 19 ministers comprising seven minister from Sosialidemokraattinen Puolue (Social Democratic Party of Finland-SDP), five ministers from Suomen Keskusta (Centre Party of Finland), three ministers from Vihreäliitto (Green League), two ministers from Vasemmistoliitto (Left Alliance) and two ministers from Suomenruotsalainenkansanpuolue (Swedish People's Party of Finland-RKP).

In its first plenary session on Tuesday the Government decided on the division of duties among the ministers, the members of the statutory Ministerial Committees, the ministerial working groups and the deputies for the ministers.

The Government of Prime Minister Marin also gave the Government Programme as a statement to Parliament. Minister of Finance Katri Kulmuni was appointed as the Deputy Prime Minister.

The portfolios of other ministers are Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering Tytti Tuppurainen, Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto, Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Ville Skinnari, Minister of Justice Anna-Maja Henriksson, Minister for Nordic Cooperation and Equality Thomas Blomqvist, Minister of the Interior Maria Ohisalo, Minister of Defence Antti Kaikkonen, Minister of Local Government Sirpa Paatero, Minister of Education Li Andersson, Minister of Science and Culture Hanna Kosonen, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Jari Leppä, Minister of Transport and Communications Timo Harakka, Minister of Employment Tuula Haatainen, Minister of Economic Affairs Mika Lintilä, Minister of Social Affairs and Health Aino-Kaisa Pekonen, Minister of Family Affairs and Social Services Krista Kiuru and Minister of the Environment and Climate Change Krista Mikkonen.

The new government was formed following the resignation of the outgoing Prime Minister Antti Rinne on December 3.

Rinne had to resign as one of the components the Suomen Keskusta (Centre Party of Finland) withdrew its backing for Rinne following the recent massive postal strike across the country.