10 Facts About Timo Harakka

Timo Olavi Harakka was born on 31 December 1962 and is a Finnish politician.

In June 2019, Harakka was appointed Minister of Employment in the Rinne Cabinet.

Timo Harakka served in the position until the collapse of the cabinet in December 2019, after which he joined the subsequent Marin Cabinet as Minister of Transport and Communications.

Timo Harakka worked as a journalist for several years and has been editor-in-chief of both Jyvaskylan Ylioppilaslehti, magazine of the students' union of the University of Jyvaskyla, and Vihrea Lanka, magazine linked with the Green League.

Since 1997 Timo Harakka worked for Yle and hosted television programs called Musta laatikko, Pressiklubi, and 10 kirjaa.

Timo Harakka subsequently served the Finance and budget spokesperson of the parliamentary group and member of the Grand Committee of the Parliament.

On 15 December 2016 Timo Harakka announced his candidacy for the leadership of Social Democratic Party.

Timo Harakka was defeated by the incumbent party leader Antti Rinne in the election on 4 February 2017.

On 6 June 2019, Timo Harakka was appointed Minister of Employment.

Timo Harakka has described Boris Johnson's decision 2019 to prorogue parliament as "incredible", and compared it to "banning saunas in Finland".