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Ilkka KanervaFinnish politician
Date of Birth: 28.01.1948
Country:  Finland |
Content:
- A Life in Politics: Ilkka Kanerva
- Ministerial Positions
- President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
- Criminal Investigation and Trial
- Personal Life
A Life in Politics: Ilkka Kanerva
Early Life and Political CareerIlkka Kanerva was born on January 28, 1948, in Lokalahti, Finland. He entered the political arena in 1975 as a member of Parliament, representing the National Coalition Party. Throughout his career, he held key positions in three ministries.
Ministerial Positions
From 2007 to 2008, Kanerva served as Finland's Foreign Minister. However, he resigned amid a scandal involving inappropriate text messages sent from his official phone to a stripper. Despite this setback, he was elected Vice-Speaker of Parliament in 2005.
President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
In 2014, Kanerva was elected President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE PA). He held this position for two terms, overseeing the organization of 57 parliamentarians from Europe, Asia, and North America.
Criminal Investigation and Trial
In 2010, Kanerva was accused of receiving bribes. The charges related to sponsorship of his 60th birthday celebration and support for his 2007 campaign. The Helsinki District Court initially sentenced him to a suspended prison term of one year and three months in 2012. However, the Vaasa Court of Appeals acquitted him in 2013, and the Supreme Court upheld the acquittal in 2014.
Personal Life
Kanerva has been divorced from his first wife since 1985. He is currently in an unofficial relationship with Elina Kiikko. He holds the Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit.
