Rydman takes over as Economic Minister

Perussuomalaiset (Finns Party) lawmaker Wille Rydman on Thursday has been appointed as the Minister of Economic Affairs replacing his party colleague Vilhelm Junnila.

The President appointed Rydman and released Junnila from his duties as Minister of Economic Affairs and as a member of the Government in the afternoon, said a government press release.

Earlier on Wednesday, the radical rightist Perussuomalaiset (Finns Party), the second largest component of the four-party alliance government selected Rydman as the Minister of Economic Affairs.

Earlier on June 30, Vilhelm Junnila decided to resign following the controversy raised over his links to far-right groups.

Rydman left Kansallinen Kokoomus (National Coalition Party-NCP) and joined Perussuomalaiset in January, 2023 following allegations of inappropriate behavious to women in June 2022.

He will serve as the minister for the first two years of the government while another Perussuomalaiset lawmaker Sakari Puisto will take over as the Economic Affairs minister for the rest two years.

Rydman was elected MP from Perussuomalaiset in April 2, 2023 parliamentary elections. Previously he was elected lawmaker twice from Kokoomus since the 2015 elections.