Minister of Finance Jyrki Katainen (Nat. Coalition Party) started a three-week paternity leave as of December 30th. He will return to work on January 18th.
Katainen got a second child already in early October, and Katainen took a week off work immediately after the birth.
During his leave, Katainen’s ministerial duties will be dealt with by other ministers, and the top civil servant at the Ministry of Finance.
Katainen is also the chairman of the National Coalition Party. His duties as party leader will be taken over temporarily by the party’s deputy chairs.
In 1998, a decision by then-Prime Minister Paavo Lipponen to take a six-day paternity leave got international attention, with feminist groups in different countries applauding the move.
