Tarja Kaarina Halonen is Finland’s eleventh President

Tarja Kaarina Halonen, who holds a degree in law, is Finland’s eleventh President. She assumed the office on 1.3.2000 by making the solemn affirmation before Parliament.


Ms. Halonen was a Member of Parliament from 1979 until her election and has served as a minister in three governments since 1987. She was Minister for Foreign Affairs from 1995 until her election.
She received 1,644,532 votes (51.6% of the total cast) in the second round of the presidential election on 6.2.2000.

Speaking for the first time as President of the Republic, Tarja Halonen said she really wanted to be a President for all the people. In her view that is what the spirit of the Constitution demands and it is a vital necessity for the nation.

The reading of the President´s constitutional affirmation before parliament.