Sauli Niinistö
Encyclopedia
Sauli Väinämö Niinistö is a Finnish
politician from National Coalition Party. He is also President of the Football Association of Finland
. A lawyer
by training, he was Minister of Finance
from 1996 to 2003 and the National Coalition Party candidate in the 2006 presidential election
. He served as the Speaker of the Parliament of Finland
from 2007 to 2011.
, Niinistö ran his own law firm
in Salo before entering national politics.
Niinistö served on the municipal council of Salo from 1977 to 1992 and was elected a Member of the Finnish Parliament (Eduskunta)
from the district of Finland Proper in 1987. In 1994 he was chosen to lead the National Coalition Party
as the party chairman and subsequently became Justice Minister
in Prime Minister
Paavo Lipponen
's first cabinet
in 1995.
Switching portfolios, Niinistö became Finance Minister in 1996, a place he held also in Lipponen's second cabinet from 1999–2003. In both cabinets, the right wing Niinistö was deputy to social democrat
Lipponen, thus enabling the use of the term rainbow government in reference to Lipponen's two consecutive cabinets. As Finance Minister Niinistö was known for his strict fiscal policy
as well as his hobby of roller skating
.
A charismatic figure, Niinistö was urged by his party to stand for president
in the elections
of 2000, but he refused.
Niinistö announced his gradual retirement from politics in 2001, a course of action he has not completely followed to date. He was succeeded that year by Ville Itälä
as party leader. Upon the end of his term as a cabinet minister in 2003, Niinistö went on to become vice-chairman of the Board of Directors
at the European Investment Bank
.
In March 2005, Niinistö announced his candidacy for the Finnish Presidency
. He represented the National Coalition Party
, challenging the incumbent
President
Tarja Halonen
. He qualified for the second round runoff (as one of the top two candidates in the first round), held on 29 January 2006, but was defeated by Tarja Halonen
.
In 2006 Niinistö announced that he was standing again for the Finnish parliamentary election
. He said, however, that he had no plans to take any high-ranking political job like the prime minister
ship in the future. He received 60,498 personal votes in the 2007 elections, which is a record number of votes for one candidate in a Finnish parliamentary election. One of the issues in the heated campaign was the possibility of NATO membership, a theme that is arising again in the 2012 presidential election.
After the election Niinistö decided to take the respected position of the Speaker of the Parliament. Niinistö is also Honorary President of the European People's Party
(EPP) after successfully negotiating the merger of the European Democrat Union
(EDU) into the EPP in 2002.
Niinistö was elected as the President of the Football Association of Finland
on 8 November 2009, he replaces Pekka Hämäläinen who worked twelve years since 1997 for Suomen Palloliitto.
was in opposition and Niinistö was considered the second-most influential man in government. Under close press scrutiny ever since, in 2003 Karpela and Niinistö announced their engagement, which was however called off in 2004.
Niinistö married Jenni Haukio in January 2009.
Niinistö is the uncle of Ville Niinistö
, a Green League
MP from Turku
, leader of the Green League and minister for environment.
In Finland, Niinistö is also remembered as one of the survivors of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake
. He escaped following a tsunami
by climbing up an utility pole
with his son Matias in Khao Lak
.
and further by Kilbrin Investments Limited in the Virgin Islands
. In 2009 it was found out that funds were not included in the official finance announcement in 2006. Also Matti Vanhanen
had not announced his finance 25 000 € from Ahti Vilppula in 2006 by 2009.
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Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
politician from National Coalition Party. He is also President of the Football Association of Finland
Football Association of Finland
The Football Association of Finland is the governing body of football in Finland. It was founded in 1907, and was also the governing body of bandy in Finland until the bandy association, Suomen Jääpalloliitto, was founded in 1972....
. A lawyer
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
by training, he was Minister of Finance
Minister of Finance (Finland)
The Minister of Finance of Finland handles the Finance of Finland and all other matters covered by the Ministry of Finance...
from 1996 to 2003 and the National Coalition Party candidate in the 2006 presidential election
Finnish presidential election, 2006
The Finnish Presidential election of 2006 saw the re-election of Tarja Halonen as President of Finland for a second six-year term.The first round of voting in Finnish presidential elections always takes place on the third Sunday of January, in this case 15 January 2006...
. He served as the Speaker of the Parliament of Finland
Parliament of Finland
The Eduskunta , is the parliament of Finland. The unicameral parliament has 200 members and meets in the Parliament House in Helsinki. The latest election to the parliament took place on April 17, 2011.- Constitution :...
from 2007 to 2011.
Career
Born in SaloSalo, Finland
Salo is a town and municipality of Finland.It is located in the province of Western Finland and is part of the Finland Proper region. The municipality has a population of and covers an area of of which is water. The population density is ....
, Niinistö ran his own law firm
Law firm
A law firm is a business entity formed by one or more lawyers to engage in the practice of law. The primary service rendered by a law firm is to advise clients about their legal rights and responsibilities, and to represent clients in civil or criminal cases, business transactions, and other...
in Salo before entering national politics.
Niinistö served on the municipal council of Salo from 1977 to 1992 and was elected a Member of the Finnish Parliament (Eduskunta)
Parliament of Finland
The Eduskunta , is the parliament of Finland. The unicameral parliament has 200 members and meets in the Parliament House in Helsinki. The latest election to the parliament took place on April 17, 2011.- Constitution :...
from the district of Finland Proper in 1987. In 1994 he was chosen to lead the National Coalition Party
National Coalition Party (Finland)
The National Coalition Party is a liberal conservative political party in Finland founded in 1918.The National Coalition Party is one of the four largest parties in Finland, along with the Social Democratic Party, the Centre Party and the True Finns...
as the party chairman and subsequently became Justice Minister
Justice Minister
A justice ministry is a ministry or other government agency charged with justice. The ministry is often headed by a minister for justice or secretary of justice or secretary for justice; sometimes the head of a department of justice is entitled attorney general.Specific duties may relate to...
in Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Finland
The Prime Minister is the Head of Government of Finland. The Prime Minister is appointed by the President, who is the Head of State. The current Prime Minister is Jyrki Katainen of the National Coalition Party.-Overview:...
Paavo Lipponen
Paavo Lipponen
Paavo Tapio Lipponen is a Finnish politician and former reporter. He was Prime Minister of Finland from 1995 to 2003, and Chairman of the Social Democratic Party of Finland from 1993 to 2005...
's first cabinet
Cabinet (government)
A Cabinet is a body of high ranking government officials, typically representing the executive branch. It can also sometimes be referred to as the Council of Ministers, an Executive Council, or an Executive Committee.- Overview :...
in 1995.
Switching portfolios, Niinistö became Finance Minister in 1996, a place he held also in Lipponen's second cabinet from 1999–2003. In both cabinets, the right wing Niinistö was deputy to social democrat
Social Democratic Party of Finland
The Social Democratic Party of Finland is one of the three major political parties in Finland, along with the Centre Party and the National Coalition Party. Jutta Urpilainen is the current SDP leader. The party has been in the Finnish government cabinet for long periods and has set many...
Lipponen, thus enabling the use of the term rainbow government in reference to Lipponen's two consecutive cabinets. As Finance Minister Niinistö was known for his strict fiscal policy
Fiscal policy
In economics and political science, fiscal policy is the use of government expenditure and revenue collection to influence the economy....
as well as his hobby of roller skating
Roller skating
Roller skating is the traveling on smooth surfaces with roller skates. It is a form of recreation as well as a sport, and can also be a form of transportation. Skates generally come in two basic varieties: quad roller skates and inline skates or blades, though some have experimented with a...
.
A charismatic figure, Niinistö was urged by his party to stand for president
President of Finland
The President of the Republic of Finland is the nation's head of state. Under the Finnish constitution, executive power is vested in the President and the government, with the President possessing extensive powers. The President is elected directly by the people of Finland for a term of six years....
in the elections
Elections in Finland
Elections in Finland gives information on election and election results in Finland.On national level Finland elects a head of state — the President of the Republic — and a legislature. The president is elected for a six-year term by direct popular vote...
of 2000, but he refused.
Niinistö announced his gradual retirement from politics in 2001, a course of action he has not completely followed to date. He was succeeded that year by Ville Itälä
Ville Itälä
Ville Heimo Antero Itälä is a Finnish politician. He was elected member of the Finnish Parliament from the district of Finland Proper in 1995. Itälä served as the Minister of Interior under Prime Minister Paavo Lipponen in 2000–2003. He was elected chairman of the National Coalition Party ...
as party leader. Upon the end of his term as a cabinet minister in 2003, Niinistö went on to become vice-chairman of the Board of Directors
Board of directors
A board of directors is a body of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of a company or organization. Other names include board of governors, board of managers, board of regents, board of trustees, and board of visitors...
at the European Investment Bank
European Investment Bank
The European Investment Bank is the European Union's long-term lending institution established in 1958 under the Treaty of Rome. A policy-driven bank, the EIB supports the EU’s priority objectives, especially European integration and the development of economically weak regions...
.
In March 2005, Niinistö announced his candidacy for the Finnish Presidency
Finnish presidential election, 2006
The Finnish Presidential election of 2006 saw the re-election of Tarja Halonen as President of Finland for a second six-year term.The first round of voting in Finnish presidential elections always takes place on the third Sunday of January, in this case 15 January 2006...
. He represented the National Coalition Party
National Coalition Party (Finland)
The National Coalition Party is a liberal conservative political party in Finland founded in 1918.The National Coalition Party is one of the four largest parties in Finland, along with the Social Democratic Party, the Centre Party and the True Finns...
, challenging the incumbent
Incumbent
The incumbent, in politics, is the existing holder of a political office. This term is usually used in reference to elections, in which races can often be defined as being between an incumbent and non-incumbent. For example, in the 2004 United States presidential election, George W...
President
President of Finland
The President of the Republic of Finland is the nation's head of state. Under the Finnish constitution, executive power is vested in the President and the government, with the President possessing extensive powers. The President is elected directly by the people of Finland for a term of six years....
Tarja Halonen
Tarja Halonen
Tarja Kaarina Halonen is the incumbent President of Finland. The first female to hold the office, Halonen had previously been a member of the parliament from 1979 to 2000 when she resigned after her election to the presidency...
. He qualified for the second round runoff (as one of the top two candidates in the first round), held on 29 January 2006, but was defeated by Tarja Halonen
Tarja Halonen
Tarja Kaarina Halonen is the incumbent President of Finland. The first female to hold the office, Halonen had previously been a member of the parliament from 1979 to 2000 when she resigned after her election to the presidency...
.
In 2006 Niinistö announced that he was standing again for the Finnish parliamentary election
Finnish parliamentary election, 2007
The Finnish parliamentary election of 2007 was the 35th election to the Eduskunta , held on 18 March 2007 after the termination of the previous parliamentary term. Early voting was possible from the 7–13 March. Two hundred MPs were elected from 15 constituencies.Election themes included a reduction...
. He said, however, that he had no plans to take any high-ranking political job like the prime minister
Prime Minister of Finland
The Prime Minister is the Head of Government of Finland. The Prime Minister is appointed by the President, who is the Head of State. The current Prime Minister is Jyrki Katainen of the National Coalition Party.-Overview:...
ship in the future. He received 60,498 personal votes in the 2007 elections, which is a record number of votes for one candidate in a Finnish parliamentary election. One of the issues in the heated campaign was the possibility of NATO membership, a theme that is arising again in the 2012 presidential election.
After the election Niinistö decided to take the respected position of the Speaker of the Parliament. Niinistö is also Honorary President of the European People's Party
European People's Party
The European People's Party is a pro-European centre-right European political party. The EPP was founded in 1976 by Christian democratic parties, but later it increased its membership to include conservative parties and parties of other centre-right perspectives.The EPP is the most influential of...
(EPP) after successfully negotiating the merger of the European Democrat Union
European Democrat Union
The European Democrat Union is one of the two European wings of the International Democrat Union, along with the European People's Party . Its members include Christian democratic, liberal conservative, and conservative political parties...
(EDU) into the EPP in 2002.
Niinistö was elected as the President of the Football Association of Finland
Football Association of Finland
The Football Association of Finland is the governing body of football in Finland. It was founded in 1907, and was also the governing body of bandy in Finland until the bandy association, Suomen Jääpalloliitto, was founded in 1972....
on 8 November 2009, he replaces Pekka Hämäläinen who worked twelve years since 1997 for Suomen Palloliitto.
Personal
While a cabinet minister, Niinistö, a widower, became romantically involved with opposition MP Tanja Karpela, a former beauty queen and later Minister of Culture. Karpela's Centre PartyCentre Party (Finland)
The Centre Party is a centrist and Nordic agrarian political party in Finland. It is one of the four largest political parties in the country, along with the Social Democratic Party , the National Coalition Party and the True Finns , and currently has 35 seats in the Finnish Parliament...
was in opposition and Niinistö was considered the second-most influential man in government. Under close press scrutiny ever since, in 2003 Karpela and Niinistö announced their engagement, which was however called off in 2004.
Niinistö married Jenni Haukio in January 2009.
Niinistö is the uncle of Ville Niinistö
Ville Niinistö
Ville Matti Niinistö is a Finnish politician. He is a member of the parliament, current chairperson of the Green League, incumbent Minister of the Environment and a member of the city council of Turku. Niinistö has a master's degree in political science from the University of Turku...
, a Green League
Green League
The Green League is a centrist green liberal political party in Finland. It has ten seats in the Finnish Parliament and two in the European Parliament. The current chairperson is Ville Niinistö....
MP from Turku
Turku
Turku is a city situated on the southwest coast of Finland at the mouth of the Aura River. It is located in the region of Finland Proper. It is believed that Turku came into existence during the end of the 13th century which makes it the oldest city in Finland...
, leader of the Green League and minister for environment.
In Finland, Niinistö is also remembered as one of the survivors of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake
2004 Indian Ocean earthquake
The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake was an undersea megathrust earthquake that occurred at 00:58:53 UTC on Sunday, December 26, 2004, with an epicentre off the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. The quake itself is known by the scientific community as the Sumatra-Andaman earthquake...
. He escaped following a tsunami
Tsunami
A tsunami is a series of water waves caused by the displacement of a large volume of a body of water, typically an ocean or a large lake...
by climbing up an utility pole
Utility pole
A utility pole is a pole used to support overhead power lines and various other public utilities, such as cable, fibre optic cable, and related equipment such as transformers and street lights. It can be referred to as a telephone pole, power pole, hydro pole, telegraph pole, or telegraph post,...
with his son Matias in Khao Lak
Khao Lak
Khao Lak ) is a seaside resort located in the Takua Pa district in the Phang Nga province, Thailand and popular as a departure point for liveaboard scuba diving trips to the Similan Islands....
.
Campaign funds
Sauli Niinistö received 50,000 euros for his presidential election campaign in 2006 from Ahti Vilppula via company Helsingin Mekaanikkotalo. Mekaanikkotalo is owned by Procomex in LuxembourgLuxembourg
Luxembourg , officially the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg , is a landlocked country in western Europe, bordered by Belgium, France, and Germany. It has two principal regions: the Oesling in the North as part of the Ardennes massif, and the Gutland in the south...
and further by Kilbrin Investments Limited in the Virgin Islands
Virgin Islands
The Virgin Islands are the western island group of the Leeward Islands, which are the northern part of the Lesser Antilles, which form the border between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean...
. In 2009 it was found out that funds were not included in the official finance announcement in 2006. Also Matti Vanhanen
Matti Vanhanen
Matti Taneli Vanhanen is a Finnish politician. He is a former Prime Minister of Finland and a former Chairman of the Centre Party. In the second half of 2006 he was President of the European Council. In his earlier career he was a journalist...
had not announced his finance 25 000 € from Ahti Vilppula in 2006 by 2009.
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