Timo Soini

Timo Soini, born on May 30, 1962, is a prominent Finnish politician known for his influential role in shaping the political landscape of Finland. As a co-founder and former leader of the Finns Party, Soini has made significant contributions to Finnish politics, particularly during his tenure as Deputy Prime Minister from 2015 to 2017 and as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2015 to 2019.

His political journey began in 2000 when he was elected to the Espoo city council, followed by his election to the Parliament of Finland in 2003. Soini gained international recognition in the 2009 European Parliament election, where he secured a seat with Finland's highest personal vote share, nearly ten percent of all votes, marking a historic achievement for the Finns Party.

The 2011 parliamentary election was a turning point for Soini and his party, which garnered nineteen point one percent of the votes, a result that was described as both shocking and exceptional by Finnish media. Soini himself emerged as the most voted candidate in his electoral district, surpassing notable figures such as the Finnish Foreign Minister and the Minister of Finance, leading to the conclusion that he had rewritten the electoral history books.

Renowned for his critical stance on European Union bailouts, Soini's political career faced challenges following the 2017 leadership election of the Finns Party, which led to a split within the party. Despite these challenges, he remained committed to his role in government until he announced his departure from politics after the 2019 parliamentary election.