Matti Vanhanen

prime minister of Finland

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July 16, 2026

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Matti Vanhanen served as the prime minister of Finland from June 2003 to June 2010. He led the Centre Party and was in office during a period of economic recovery and Finland's integration into the European Union. Vanhanen's tenure saw Finland navigate the challenges of the euro-zone debt crisis and a significant shift in its foreign policy with the application for NATO membership following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. He resigned as prime minister in June 2010 due to a funding scandal that affected his party's reputation.12

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Finland
Domestic affairs
…on Finland’s policy toward Iraq, Matti Vanhanen replaced her as prime minister in June. Vanhanen retained his position when the Centre Party won a narrow victory in the 2007 parliamentary elections. The National Coalition Party finished a close second, while the Social Democrats suffered significant losses.
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…on Finland’s policy toward Iraq, Matti Vanhanen replaced her as prime minister in June. Vanhanen retained his position when the Centre Party won a narrow victory in the 2007 parliamentary elections. The National Coalition Party finished a close second, while the Social Democrats suffered significant losses.
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