Education Minister Li Andersson is expecting a child
She plans to stay in office until Christmas. In spring, someone else will be elected to replace her as a member of the government.
The Finnish Minister of Education, Li Andersson (Left Alliance or Vasemmistoliitto, in Finnish), is expecting a child. The announcement was made on Wednesday by the minister herself through her Twitter account.
"Happy news, if all goes well, my spouse Juha and I will have a baby around New Year," the Minister of Education wrote shortly before noon.
The announcement of her baby's eventual birth triggered a wave of positive reactions and congratulations to the future mother. Among those who congratulated the minister were other members of the Finnish Government, members of parliament and senior officials.
Prime Minister Sanna Marin also dedicated a loving message to her on Twitter.
Earlier, Li Andersson had described to the newspaper Kansanuutiset her state of mind before imminent motherhood: "It is such a great source of joy and happiness that it is difficult to find suitable words for it."
Will be replaced in Spring
Andersson plans to continue in office at least until Christmas. "Having a child doesn't mean I'm disappearing. I will continue my work normally until the Christmas holidays, provided my own and the child’s health allow it, of course."
She said after the child birth "another person will be elected to replace me" as Minister of Education next spring.
Andersson started to work as Minister of Education a year ago in the previous government headed by Antti Rinne. After Rinne's resignation, she continued working for the government of Sanna Marin.
Both before and after being in government, Andersson has always stood out for defending public education, equal opportunities and for her positive attitude towards the presence of immigrants in Finland.