On Thursday 6 August, President Sauli Niinistö appointed Annika Saarikko (Center Party or Keskusta in Finnish) as a member of the government and Minister of Science and Culture. Saarikko rejoins the cabinet after a maternity leave.
On the same occasion, the President released Hanna Kosonen from her responsibilities as Minister of Science and Culture and a member of the government.
Following the presidential session, the government plenary session made decisions on the changes to the ministerial portfolios, deputising arrangements, and the composition of ministerial working groups in which Saarikko will replace Kosonen.
The Government also appointed Tuomo Puumala and Jari Partanen to continue in their duties as state secretaries. Partanen serves as State Secretary for the Centre Party’s ministerial group.
