President to appoint new government

President of the Republic Tarja Halonen met Speaker of the Eduskunta (Parliament) Anneli Jäätteenmäki at the Presidential Palace on Tuesday 15.4.2003. At the meeting, the Speaker reported on the outcome of negotiations to form a government coalition. Having heard the Speaker, the President gave the Eduskunta written notification of the nominee for the post of Prime Minister.

President Halonen and Speaker Jäätteenmäki at the Presidential Palace. Photo: Lehtikuva.

On Tuesday afternoon, Eduskunta elected Anneli Jäätteenmäki, a Member of Parliament and Master of Laws with court training, as the new Prime Minister of Finland. This is the first time the Prime Minister is elected by Eduskunta under the new constitution.

The new government will be appointed by the President on Thursday 17.4.2003, after which both the outgoing government and the incoming one will visit the Presidential Palace to pay their respects.

More information on the new Government and its program on the Home Page of the Government