Ahti Karjalainen
| Ahti Karjalainen | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Prime Minister of Finland | |
|
In office 13 April 1962 – 18 December 1963 |
|
| President | Urho Kekkonen |
| Deputy | Johannes Virolainen |
| Preceded by | Martti Miettunen |
| Succeeded by | Reino Ragnar Lehto |
|
In office 15 July 1970 – 29 October 1971 |
|
| President | Urho Kekkonen |
| Deputy | Veikko Helle |
| Preceded by | Teuvo Aura |
| Succeeded by | Teuvo Aura |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 10 February 1923 Hirvensalmi |
| Died | 7 September 1990 (aged 67) Helsinki |
| Political party |
Centre Party (resigned in 1983) |
Ahti Kalle Samuli Karjalainen (10 February 1923 – 7 September 1990) was a Finnish politician. He was a member of the Agrarian League (later known as Keskusta, Centre Party) and served two terms as Prime Minister of Finland. He is, however, better known for his period as Foreign Minister of Finland. Karjalainen is considered one of the most influential figures in post-war Finnish politics. Like President Urho Kekkonen, Karjalainen attached great importance to Finland's relationship with the Soviet Union.
Karjalainen served as the Minister of the Treasury, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Trade and Industry for half a decade from 1957, forming his first government on 13 April 1962. It remained in office until December the following year; ultimately disbanding due to the resignations of ministers sympathetic to the SAK over economic and political issues. Karjalainen served a second term as Prime Minister from 15 July 1970 to 29 October 1971.
Karjalainen's ministerial career continued with only short interruptions until May 1977. By this time he had spent 5,772 days as a political minister - a period of service only surpassed by Johannes Virolainen. Karjalainen first entered the Parliament of Finland in 1966, serving as a member for 13 years.
In 1950, Urho Kekkonen made Karjalainen a key secretary in his first government. This was the start of a long-standing cooperative relationship between Kekkonen and Karjalainen, which endured for more than twenty years. So close was their partnership that throughout the 1960s and early 1970s, Karjalainen was seen by many as Kekkonen's crown prince. Their partnership ended when Kekkonen dismissed Karjalainen's second government in 1971.
In 1981 Karjalainen put his name forward to be presidential candidate of the Centre Party, but lost to Johannes Virolainen. The election was ultimately won by Mauno Koivisto who became President of Finland in January 1982, succeeding Kekkonen.
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Wikipedia