Finland's new government takes office

Finland's government has formally changed. On Thursday morning, President Tarja Halonen officially released the ministers of Matti Vanhanen's first administration, in office since 2003, from their duties, and at the same time named the new members of the Council of State (effectively the PM and ministers) in Vanhanen's second government.
      Following the elections in March, the outgoing centre-left government coalition of the Centre Party, Social Democrats, and the Swedish People's Party has been replaced by a centre-right “bluegrass” coalition of the Centre Party, the moderate conservatives of the National Coalition Party, the Greens, and the Swedish People's Party. Vanhanen continues for a second term as Prime Minister.
      Immediately after the formal changeover, the new administration met to arrange the most important initial formalities. Nine first-time ministers were sworn in.
     
Later today, the members of the outgoing government will pay a visit to the President to pay their respects, and the new ministers will also pay a courtesy call to be introduced to the head of state.
      The government, Finland's 70th since independence, comprises 20 ministers. The Centre Party and the National Coalition Party each have eight ministerial posts, while the remaining four are shared between the Green League and the Swedish People's Party. A majority of the ministers in the new administration are women.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Women hold majority in Centre Party ministerial group (18.4.2007)
  Greens vote on Cronberg appointment, Kanerva becomes Foreign Minister (17.4.2007)

Links:
  Finnish Government pages