Ms Virkkunen appointed as Minister of Transport and Ms Kiuru as Minister of Communications

Ms Henna Virkkunen (National Coalition Party) has been appointed the new Minister of Transport and Local Government, and Ms Krista Kiuru (Social Democratic Party) the new Minister of Education and Communications.

On 4 April 2014, Finland's President Sauli Niinistö approved Merja Kyllönen's resignation from her position as Minister of Transport, as well as Paavo Arhinmäki's resignation from his position as Minister of Culture and Sport, as the Left Alliance resigned from the Cabinet.

At the same time, the President appointed Henna Virkkunen (43) and Krista Kiuru (39) in their new positions.

In the present Cabinet, Minister Virkkunen has acted as Minister of Public Administration and Local Government from 2011. Ms Virkkunen is the National Coalition's Vice Chair and Chairman of the Women's League of the National Coalition Party. She graduated from university with a Licentiate in Philosophy.

Minister Kiuru has acted as Minister of Education from May 2013. Ms Kiuru will take over the tasks of Minister of Communications from Pia Viitanen, who will step into the position of Minister of Culture and Housing.

Minister Kiuru has previously managed the tasks of Minister of Transport, in this same Cabinet when the Cabinet began its work in 2011. Ms Kiuru is the 1st Deputy Party Leader for the Social Democrats. Ms Kiuru has a Master's degree in Social Sciences.