Matti Vanhanen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Matti Vanhanen
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Vanhanen in 2022
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| Speaker of the Parliament of Finland | |
| In office 1 February 2022 – 12 April 2023 |
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| Preceded by | Anu Vehviläinen |
| Succeeded by | Petteri Orpo |
| In office 7 June 2019 – 9 June 2020 |
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| Preceded by | Antti Rinne |
| Succeeded by | Anu Vehviläinen |
| 40th Prime Minister of Finland | |
| In office 24 June 2003 – 22 June 2010 |
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| President | Tarja Halonen |
| Deputy | Antti Kalliomäki Eero Heinäluoma Jyrki Katainen |
| Preceded by | Anneli Jäätteenmäki |
| Succeeded by | Mari Kiviniemi |
| Minister of Finance | |
| In office 9 June 2020 – 27 May 2021 |
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| Prime Minister | Sanna Marin |
| Preceded by | Katri Kulmuni |
| Succeeded by | Annika Saarikko |
| 35th Deputy Prime Minister of Finland | |
| In office 9 June 2020 – 10 September 2020 |
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| Prime Minister | Sanna Marin |
| Preceded by | Katri Kulmuni |
| Succeeded by | Annika Saarikko |
| Minister of Defence | |
| In office 17 April 2003 – 24 June 2003 |
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| Prime Minister | Anneli Jäätteenmäki |
| Preceded by | Jan-Erik Enestam |
| Succeeded by | Seppo Kääriäinen |
| Member of the Finnish Parliament | |
| In office 22 April 2015 – 12 April 2023 |
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| Constituency | Uusimaa |
| In office 22 March 1991 – 19 September 2010 |
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| Constituency | Uusimaa |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 4 November 1955 Jyväskylä, Central Finland, Finland |
| Political party | Centre |
| Spouse |
Merja Mäntyniemi
(m. 1985; div. 2005) |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | University of Helsinki |
| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Finland |
| Branch/service |  Finnish Army |
| Rank |  Vääpeli |
Matti Taneli Vanhanen (born 4 November 1955) is a Finnish politician. He served as the Prime Minister of Finland from 2003 to 2010. He was also the leader of the Centre Party in 2006. Before becoming a politician, he worked as a journalist. Matti Vanhanen is the son of professor Tatu Vanhanen and Anni Tiihonen.
Contents
Matti Vanhanen's Political Journey
Early Life and Studies
Matti Vanhanen studied political science at the University of Helsinki. He earned his Master's degree in Social Sciences in 1989. From 1980 to 1983, he led the Centre Party Youth League. He also served on the Espoo City Council from 1981 to 1984.
Before his political career, Vanhanen worked as a journalist. He was an editor for the local newspaper Kehäsanomat from 1985 to 1988. He then became its editor-in-chief until 1991.
Entering Parliament
Vanhanen was elected to the Finnish Parliament (Eduskunta) in 1991. As a Member of Parliament, he was very interested in environmental issues. He served on the Parliamentary Environment Committee from 1991 to 1995. He also chaired the Parliamentary Grand Committee from 2000 to 2001.
Another important area for Vanhanen was Finland's foreign policy. He was a member of the Convention on the Future of Europe. This group worked on the European Union's constitution. Vanhanen has described himself as an "EU pragmatist." This means he focuses on practical solutions for European cooperation.
Prime Minister of Finland
Vanhanen became the Minister of Defense in 2003. This was part of Prime Minister Anneli Jäätteenmäki's government. After Jäätteenmäki resigned, Vanhanen was chosen as Prime Minister. His first government was then formed.
First Time as Prime Minister
As Prime Minister, Vanhanen was seen as a liberal member of the Centre Party. His government made changes to taxes. For example, they lowered the top state income tax rate. They also reduced the corporate tax rate.
Running for President
Vanhanen ran for President in the 2006 Finnish presidential election. He was the candidate for the Centre Party. He came in third place with 18.6% of the votes. This meant he did not move on to the second round of voting. He then supported Sauli Niinistö in the final election.
Second Time as Prime Minister
After the March 2007 election, the Centre Party remained the largest party. Vanhanen formed his second government. This government included the Centre Party, the National Coalition Party, the Green League, and the Swedish People's Party.
In December 2009, Vanhanen announced he would step down as the leader of the Centre Party. This happened at the party's meeting in June 2010. Mari Kiviniemi was chosen as the new leader and became Prime Minister. In September 2010, Vanhanen left Parliament to lead the Family Business Network Finland.
Return to Politics
In November 2014, Vanhanen announced he would leave the Family Business Network. He was re-elected to Parliament in the 2015 elections. In June 2015, he became the chairman of the Centre Party's group in Parliament.
In March 2016, Vanhanen announced he would seek the Centre Party's nomination for the 2018 Finnish presidential election. He was the only candidate and was confirmed as the party's choice. Vanhanen said he wanted to improve Finland's security. He placed fifth in the election with 4.1% of the votes.
After being re-elected in the 2019 parliamentary election, Vanhanen was chosen as the Speaker of the Parliament.
In June 2020, Vanhanen was appointed Minister of Finance. He initially did not want the job but accepted it out of a sense of duty. In May 2021, he resigned from this post. He handed it over to the party chair, Annika Saarikko.
Vanhanen has supported Finland joining NATO. In 2022, he openly supported Finland's membership. In 2023, as Speaker of the Parliament, he signed the approval for Finland to join the military alliance.
Views and Personal Life
Vanhanen is known for being calm and focused. He has been described as someone who prefers practical approaches in politics.
Matti Vanhanen married Merja Vanhanen in 1985. They have two children, Annastiina (born 1991) and Juhana (born 1994). They divorced in 2005.
Vanhanen has two homes. He lives mainly in Lepsämä, a village in Nurmijärvi. On weekends, he stays in the town of Rauma. He is about 198 centimeters tall and is left-handed.
Cabinets
- Vanhanen I Cabinet
- Vanhanen II Cabinet
Honours
Finland Order of the Lion of Finland (1999)
Finland, Grand Cross, Order of the White Rose of Finland (2004)
Estonia, 1st Class, Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana (2007)
Italy, Knight Grand Cross with Collar, Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (2008)
Sweden, Commander Grand Cross, Order of the Polar Star
Greece, Grand Cross, Order of the Phoenix (Greece)
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See also
In Spanish: Matti Vanhanen para niños
- Keskusta
