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Mari Johanna KiviniemiFinnish politician
Date of Birth: 27.09.1968
Country:  Finland |
Content:
Early Life and Education
Mari Kiviniemi was born in Jämsänkoski, Finland. She attended high school in Jämsäjärvi. During her secondary education, she participated in a one-year exchange program in Germany. In 1988, she enrolled at the University of Helsinki, where she majored in economics. She moved to Helsinki at this time.
Political Career
Parliamentary BeginningsKiviniemi was first elected to the Finnish Parliament (eduskunta) in 1995. She specialized in political science and public policy.
Ministerial Positions
From 2005 to 2006, Kiviniemi served as Minister of Foreign Trade and Development. She became Minister of Regional Affairs on April 19, 2007.
Prime Ministership
On June 12, 2010, Kiviniemi was elected Chair of the Centre Party of Finland. On June 22, 2010, she became Prime Minister of Finland, succeeding Matti Vanhanen. Kiviniemi was the 62nd Prime Minister of Finland and the second woman to hold the post (after Anneli Jäätteenmäki in 2003). Her government was the 71st cabinet in the country's history.
Personal Life
Mari Kiviniemi is married to Juha Louhivuori. They have two children together, Hanna (born 1997) and Antti (born 2000), as well as two sons, Väinö and Valtter, from Louhivuori's previous marriage.
