<p>Sixteen-year-old Nella Salminen on Wednesday stepped into the shoes of Finnish President Sauli Niinisto for a day. This was part of a global campaign to promote girls' rights.</p>

<p>"This whole day is like the best thing I've experienced in a long time," Nella Salminen told AFP outside Helsinki's presidential palace, after spending the day meeting politicians and addressing a global climate action conference.</p>

<p>She was selected by Plan International, a charity, to work alongside the Nordic country's president.</p>

<p>as part of its #GirlsTakeover campaign, in which adolescents around the world take the helm in politics or business for one day.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nato-remains-bedrock-for-european-security-says-stoltenberg-amid-aukus-row-418607">NATO remains bedrock for European security, says Stoltenberg amid AUKUS row</a></strong></p>

<p>Held ahead of the UN Day of the Girl on October 11, this year the teens are sharing duties with Uganda's education minister, a Swiss federal counsellor and the CEOs of a number of major Indonesian companies, among others.</p>

<p>Nella said her message to her elders was that girls' potential should be better recognised and they should be involved more in policymaking.</p>

<p>"It is not fair that decisions that influence me a lot have been made by decision-makers without asking... my generation's opinion," she said.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/soaring-energy-prices-climb-up-eus-political-agenda-418611">Soaring energy prices climb up EU's political agenda</a></strong></p>

<p>Nella also spoke to the president about the theme of this year's girls' takeover campaign, the impact on gender of false information online.</p>

<p>"Misinformation and disinformation on the internet has grown and grown, and it's really hard to find the correct information," Nella told AFP.</p>

<p>"I think people from my generation know this the best, and that is one mesasge we can provide to the older generation."</p>

<p>Finland's government is headed by Prime Minister Sanna Marin, who became the world's youngest holder of the office in 2019 when she took power aged 34, leading a coalition of five centre-left parties who were all led by women.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Sixteen-year-old Nella Salminen on Wednesday stepped into the shoes of Finnish President Sauli Niinisto for a day. This was part of a global campaign to promote girls' rights.

Sixteen-year-old Nella Salminen on Wednesday stepped into the shoes of Finnish President Sauli Niinisto for a day. This was part of a global campaign to promote girls' rights. "This whole day is like the best thing I've experienced in a long time," Nella Salminen told AFP outside Helsinki's presidential palace, after spending the day meeting politicians and addressing a global climate action conference. She was selected by Plan International, a charity, to work alongside the Nordic country's president. as part of its #GirlsTakeover campaign, in which adolescents around the world take the helm in politics or business for one day. Also Read | NATO remains bedrock for European security, says Stoltenberg amid AUKUS row Held ahead of the UN Day of the Girl on October 11, this year the teens are sharing duties with Uganda's education minister, a Swiss federal counsellor and the CEOs of a number of major Indonesian companies, among others. Nella said her message to her elders was that girls' potential should be better recognised and they should be involved more in policymaking. "It is not fair that decisions that influence me a lot have been made by decision-makers without asking... my generation's opinion," she said. Also Read | Soaring energy prices climb up EU's political agenda Nella also spoke to the president about the theme of this year's girls' takeover campaign, the impact on gender of false information online. "Misinformation and disinformation on the internet has grown and grown, and it's really hard to find the correct information," Nella told AFP. "I think people from my generation know this the best, and that is one mesasge we can provide to the older generation." Finland's government is headed by Prime Minister Sanna Marin, who became the world's youngest holder of the office in 2019 when she took power aged 34, leading a coalition of five centre-left parties who were all led by women. (With inputs from agencies)

In girls' rights drive, 16-year-old becomes Finnish president for a day

<p>Finland has bagged the top spot for being world's happiest country for a fourth year running, as per an annual report sponsored by the United Nations. In World Happiness Report Researchers used Gallup data and asked people in 149 countries to rate their own happiness. It also took into account measures such as GDP, social support, personal freedom and levels of corruption to give each nation a happiness score, which is an average of the past three years.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Top spots were dominated by European countries. Denmark was in second place followed by Switzerland, Iceland and the Netherlands.</p>

<p>New Zealand, falling one place to ninth, was again the only non-European nation in the top ten.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Other climbers included Germany, up from 17th to 13th, and France, rising two to 21st.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The UK, meanwhile, fell from 13th to 17th place, while the US fell one spot to 19th.&nbsp;</p>

<p>African nations Lesotho, Botswana, Rwanda and Zimbabwe came at the bottom of the table, but ahead of&nbsp;<br />
Afghanistan which was classed as the world's unhappiest nation this year.</p>

<p>The authors also compared this year's data to previous years' averages to gauge the impact of the pandemic, and found "significantly higher frequency of negative emotions" in just over a third of the countries.</p>

<p>But positive emotions increased in 22 countries, and "surprisingly there was not, on average, a decline in well-being when measured by people's own evaluation of their lives," John Helliwell, one of the report's compilers, said in a statement.</p>

<p>"One possible explanation is that people see Covid-19 as a common, outside threat affecting everybody and that this has generated a greater sense of solidarity and fellow-feeling."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Author Jeffrey Sachs meanwhile warned that "we need urgently to learn from Covid-19," adding that "we must aim for wellbeing rather than mere wealth."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Finland, which throughout the health crisis has reported some of Europe's lowest incidences of the coronavirus, "ranked very high on the measures of mutual trust that have helped to protect lives and livelihoods during the pandemic," the authors said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Finland's top spot in the happiness list has previously been met with raised eyebrows in the country whose population of 5.5 million is said to shy away from spontaneous demonstrations of joy, valuing instead the quiet and solitude of the country's vast forests and thousands of lakes.</p>


Finland has bagged the top spot for being world's happiest country for a fourth year running, as per an annual report sponsored by the United Nations. In World Happiness Report Researchers used Gallup data and asked people in 149 countries to rate their own happiness.

Finland has bagged the top spot for being world's happiest country for a fourth year running, as per an annual report sponsored by the United Nations. In World Happiness Report Researchers used Gallup data and asked people in 149 countries to rate their own happiness. It also took into account measures such as GDP, social support, personal freedom and levels of corruption to give each nation a happiness score, which is an average of the past three years. Top spots were dominated by European countries. Denmark was in second place followed by Switzerland, Iceland and the Netherlands. New Zealand, falling one place to ninth, was again the only non-European nation in the top ten. Other climbers included Germany, up from 17th to 13th, and France, rising two to 21st. The UK, meanwhile, fell from 13th to 17th place, while the US fell one spot to 19th. African nations Lesotho, Botswana, Rwanda and Zimbabwe came at the bottom of the table, but ahead of Afghanistan which was classed as the world's unhappiest nation this year. The authors also compared this year's data to previous years' averages to gauge the impact of the pandemic, and found "significantly higher frequency of negative emotions" in just over a third of the countries. But positive emotions increased in 22 countries, and "surprisingly there was not, on average, a decline in well-being when measured by people's own evaluation of their lives," John Helliwell, one of the report's compilers, said in a statement. "One possible explanation is that people see Covid-19 as a common, outside threat affecting everybody and that this has generated a greater sense of solidarity and fellow-feeling." Author Jeffrey Sachs meanwhile warned that "we need urgently to learn from Covid-19," adding that "we must aim for wellbeing rather than mere wealth." Finland, which throughout the health crisis has reported some of Europe's lowest incidences of the coronavirus, "ranked very high on the measures of mutual trust that have helped to protect lives and livelihoods during the pandemic," the authors said. Finland's top spot in the happiness list has previously been met with raised eyebrows in the country whose population of 5.5 million is said to shy away from spontaneous demonstrations of joy, valuing instead the quiet and solitude of the country's vast forests and thousands of lakes.

Finland is world's happiest country despite COVID, says report

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds a virtual summit with Finnish counterpart Sanna Marin. Both leaders discussed trade and global issues of mutual interests.

Indian PM Modi holds virtual summit with Finnish counterpart Sanna Marin

<p>India has taken care of the needs of the world along with its domestic struggle during the coronavirus pandemic, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday at a virtual summit with his Finnish counterpart Sanna Marin.</p>

<p>More than 58 million made-in-India coronavirus vaccine doses had reached about 70 countries in the recent weeks, the prime minister said.</p>

<p>He also said both India and Finland believed in a rules-based, transparent, humanitarian and democratic global order and the two countries have strong cooperation in areas like technology, innovation, clean energy, environment and education.</p>

<p><br />
In his opening remarks, Modi also urged Finland to join the International Solar Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI). Both the organisations took shape following India's initiative.</p>

<p>"These international institutions will benefit from Finland's ability and expertise," he said.</p>

<p>The Finnish prime minister said there was scope for further intensification of bilateral ties in areas of education, technology and trade.</p>

<p>The Ministry of External Affairs on Monday said the virtual summit will provide a blueprint for the future expansion and diversification of the India-Finland partnership.</p>


India has taken care of the needs of the world along with its domestic struggle during the coronavirus pandemic, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday at a virtual summit with his Finnish counterpart Sanna Marin.

India has taken care of the needs of the world along with its domestic struggle during the coronavirus pandemic, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday at a virtual summit with his Finnish counterpart Sanna Marin. More than 58 million made-in-India coronavirus vaccine doses had reached about 70 countries in the recent weeks, the prime minister said. He also said both India and Finland believed in a rules-based, transparent, humanitarian and democratic global order and the two countries have strong cooperation in areas like technology, innovation, clean energy, environment and education. In his opening remarks, Modi also urged Finland to join the International Solar Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI). Both the organisations took shape following India's initiative. "These international institutions will benefit from Finland's ability and expertise," he said. The Finnish prime minister said there was scope for further intensification of bilateral ties in areas of education, technology and trade. The Ministry of External Affairs on Monday said the virtual summit will provide a blueprint for the future expansion and diversification of the India-Finland partnership.

PM Narendra Modi holds virtual summit with Finnish counterpart Sanna Marin

Finland Prime Minister Sanna Marin‘s recent picture in a blazer with a plunging neckline has left netizens divided.

Finland PM finds support after being trolled online

<p>When we talk about politicians we have a specific image in mind. It almost always is an elderly man or a woman. The person has a stern look on the face and walks around in a certain measured way. The definition doesn't fit the new-gen politicians like Finland Prime Minister Sanna Marin.</p>

<p>She is the youngest prime minister in the world. At 34, she is younger than some of her colleagues by even decades. No wonder all eyes are on her wherever she goes to confidently handle matters of politics.</p>

<p>But now a glamourous photo clicked for a magazine has sparked debate.</p>

<p>Sanna Marin posed for Trendi Magazine's October issue wearing a blazer with no shirt underneath.</p>

<p>What a woman wears should never be anybody else's business but this photo has sparked a debate.</p>

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<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CGE6V28jJjM/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Ylpeänä esittelemme: lokakuun Trendin kannessa loistaa mieletön @sannamarin 💪🖤⠀ ⠀ Pääministeri Sanna Marinilla on eturivin paikka esimerkkinä, esikuvana, asioiden muuttajana ja vaikuttajana. Työ on paineistettua, mutta hyvät unenlahjat ja rautaiset hermot auttavat. Mutta Marin tunnustaa myös, että uupumuksen tunteet saattavat tulla myöhemmin:⠀ ⠀ ”On selvää, että nämä vuodet jättävät jälkensä. Tämä ei ole tavallista työtä eikä tavanomaista elämää vaan raskasta monellakin tavalla. Voi olla, että paine ja uupumus kertyvät ja tulevat myöhemmin. Tilanteissa on ollut pakko laittaa tunteet sivuun, mutta kyllähän ne kasautuvat.” ⠀ ⠀ Lue kiinnostava haastattelu kokonaisuudessaan tänään lehtihyllyille saapuneesta Trendistä! Antoisia lukuhetkiä! 💎 ⠀ ⠀ Kuva: @jonaslundqvist⠀ Tyyli: @suvipout</a></p>

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<p>Mari Paalosalo-Jussinmaki, director of women's media at A-lehdet magazine group that publishes Trendi Magazine told CNN that there was an "enormous" backlash against the photoshoot in Finland. The photo was criticised on social media with many expressing views on propriety.</p>

<p>But Mari noted that largely, it was men who expressed that the photo was a 'wrong' step while women opined that the photo was fabulous.</p>

<p>Sanna Marin hit global headlines earlier this year when she attended European Union Summit in Brussels.</p>

<p><img alt="Sanna Marin" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ec12fd88-1a86-446b-a9c4-8add2d153bb2" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Sanna%20Marin.jpg" /></p>

<p>On July 18, 2020 EU leaders held&nbsp;their first face-to-face summit over a post-virus economic rescue plan. The EU has been plunged into a historic economic crunch by the coronavirus crisis.</p>


When we talk about politicians we have a specific image in mind. It almost always is an elderly man or a woman. The person has a stern look on the face and walks around in a certain measured way.

When we talk about politicians we have a specific image in mind. It almost always is an elderly man or a woman. The person has a stern look on the face and walks around in a certain measured way. The definition doesn't fit the new-gen politicians like Finland Prime Minister Sanna Marin. She is the youngest prime minister in the world. At 34, she is younger than some of her colleagues by even decades. No wonder all eyes are on her wherever she goes to confidently handle matters of politics. But now a glamourous photo clicked for a magazine has sparked debate. Sanna Marin posed for Trendi Magazine's October issue wearing a blazer with no shirt underneath. What a woman wears should never be anybody else's business but this photo has sparked a debate. View this post on Instagram Ylpeänä esittelemme: lokakuun Trendin kannessa loistaa mieletön @sannamarin 💪🖤⠀ ⠀ Pääministeri Sanna Marinilla on eturivin paikka esimerkkinä, esikuvana, asioiden muuttajana ja vaikuttajana. Työ on paineistettua, mutta hyvät unenlahjat ja rautaiset hermot auttavat. Mutta Marin tunnustaa myös, että uupumuksen tunteet saattavat tulla myöhemmin:⠀ ⠀ ”On selvää, että nämä vuodet jättävät jälkensä. Tämä ei ole tavallista työtä eikä tavanomaista elämää vaan raskasta monellakin tavalla. Voi olla, että paine ja uupumus kertyvät ja tulevat myöhemmin. Tilanteissa on ollut pakko laittaa tunteet sivuun, mutta kyllähän ne kasautuvat.” ⠀ ⠀ Lue kiinnostava haastattelu kokonaisuudessaan tänään lehtihyllyille saapuneesta Trendistä! Antoisia lukuhetkiä! 💎 ⠀ ⠀ Kuva: @jonaslundqvist⠀ Tyyli: @suvipout A post shared by Trendi & Lily (@trendimag) on Oct 8, 2020 at 2:00am PDT × Mari Paalosalo-Jussinmaki, director of women's media at A-lehdet magazine group that publishes Trendi Magazine told CNN that there was an "enormous" backlash against the photoshoot in Finland. The photo was criticised on social media with many expressing views on propriety. But Mari noted that largely, it was men who expressed that the photo was a 'wrong' step while women opined that the photo was fabulous. Sanna Marin hit global headlines earlier this year when she attended European Union Summit in Brussels. On July 18, 2020 EU leaders held their first face-to-face summit over a post-virus economic rescue plan. The EU has been plunged into a historic economic crunch by the coronavirus crisis.

Finland PM Sanna Marin's glamorous photo for a magazine sparks debate

Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin faced a quieter day than usual on Wednesday after handing power to a 16-year-old as part of a campaign to promote girls' rights. Watch report.

Teen becomes Finnish PM for a day

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/finlands-pm-sanna-marin-wants-four-day-work-week-with-six-hour-days-272651">Finland </a>has announced plans to offer men and women equal paid parental leave as well as an extension of the total family allowance from 11.5 months to just over 14 months.</p>

<p>Finland's women-led government has been setting new benchmarks repeatedly.&nbsp;The move is seen as a way to boost birth rates in the northern European country.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/finlands-pm-sanna-marin-wants-four-day-work-week-with-six-hour-days-272651">Finland's PM Sanna Marin wants four-day work week with six-hour days</a></strong></p>

<p>The news policy announced by its 34-year-old Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/finlands-pm-sanna-marin-wants-four-day-work-week-with-six-hour-days-272651">Sanna Marin</a>'s will grant nearly seven months paid leave to each parent, for a total of 14 months of paid leave.</p>

<p>Parents would be allowed to transfer up to 69 of their own days to the other parent, if they so desired and for single parents the country is giving all 328 days to the parent.</p>

<p>The new policy allows one month of pregnancy allowance to a pregnant mother even before the parental leave starts.</p>

<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/finlands-christmas-tourism-boom-creates-headwinds-for-environment-270036">Finland's Christmas tourism boom creates headwinds for environment</a></strong></p>

<p>The new policy is a significant step up from the current rules which allow about four months for maternity leave&nbsp;and about two months for fathers.&nbsp;The changed policy is set to be effective from the latter part of next year.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/finlands-christmas-tourism-boom-creates-headwinds-for-environment-270036">Finland's </a>birth rate has been on the decline since 1990&nbsp;when the average woman had 1.9 children which has&nbsp;fallen to 1.4.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Last year <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/finlands-christmas-tourism-boom-creates-headwinds-for-environment-270036">Finland's </a>total fertility rate was the lowest ever recorded in the Nordic countries.</p>


Finland has announced plans to offer men and women equal paid parental leave as well as an extension of the total family allowance from 11.5 months to just over 14 months.

Finland has announced plans to offer men and women equal paid parental leave as well as an extension of the total family allowance from 11.5 months to just over 14 months. Finland's women-led government has been setting new benchmarks repeatedly. The move is seen as a way to boost birth rates in the northern European country. Also read: Finland's PM Sanna Marin wants four-day work week with six-hour days The news policy announced by its 34-year-old Prime Minister Sanna Marin's will grant nearly seven months paid leave to each parent, for a total of 14 months of paid leave. Parents would be allowed to transfer up to 69 of their own days to the other parent, if they so desired and for single parents the country is giving all 328 days to the parent. The new policy allows one month of pregnancy allowance to a pregnant mother even before the parental leave starts. Also read: Finland's Christmas tourism boom creates headwinds for environment The new policy is a significant step up from the current rules which allow about four months for maternity leave and about two months for fathers. The changed policy is set to be effective from the latter part of next year. Finland's birth rate has been on the decline since 1990 when the average woman had 1.9 children which has fallen to 1.4. Last year Finland's total fertility rate was the lowest ever recorded in the Nordic countries.

Finland to offer equal paid parental leave to mothers and fathers

<p>Finland's new <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/finland-sanna-marin-34-becomes-worlds-youngest-serving-prime-minister-267052">prime minister Sanna Marin</a>, 34, has said that the country will soon introduce a four-day work week which involves six-hour days.</p>

<p>Marin belonging to Finland's Social Democrat had taken office in December by winning a confidence vote in Parliament replacing Antti Rinne.</p>

<p>PM Marin told the New Europe magazine that she believes people need to spend more time with families while adding that people needed to also look at other aspects of life including hobbies and culture.</p>

<p>Finland's neighbour Sweden had earlier implemented a six-hour work week back in 2015.</p>

<p>Interestingly, in November last year, the Indian government had suggested nine-hour working day in a draft wage code. India's Factory Act of 1948 states that an adult cannot work for more than 48 hours a week which includes not more than nine hours a day for any week.</p>

<p>According to a survey conducted two years ago, India was rated as the "hardest working country" with employees who work for five days a week even if they had an option to work for lesser days. Mexico was ranked second in the list.</p>

<p>The study conducted by US workforce management firm Kronos had said the US led with "overtime" for workers followed by India.</p>

<p>India's labour law mandates that if a worker does "overtime" then the person is entitled to get twice the amount of wages to the ordinary wages.</p>

<p>The law also says that "overtime work" should not exceed ten hours a day and 54 hours a week.</p>


Finland's new prime minister Sanna Marin, 34, has said that the country will soon introduce a four-day work week which involves six-hour days. Marin belonging to Finland's Social Democrat had taken office in December by winning a confidence vote in Parliament replacing Antti Rinne.

Finland's new prime minister Sanna Marin, 34, has said that the country will soon introduce a four-day work week which involves six-hour days. Marin belonging to Finland's Social Democrat had taken office in December by winning a confidence vote in Parliament replacing Antti Rinne. PM Marin told the New Europe magazine that she believes people need to spend more time with families while adding that people needed to also look at other aspects of life including hobbies and culture. Finland's neighbour Sweden had earlier implemented a six-hour work week back in 2015. Interestingly, in November last year, the Indian government had suggested nine-hour working day in a draft wage code. India's Factory Act of 1948 states that an adult cannot work for more than 48 hours a week which includes not more than nine hours a day for any week. According to a survey conducted two years ago, India was rated as the "hardest working country" with employees who work for five days a week even if they had an option to work for lesser days. Mexico was ranked second in the list. The study conducted by US workforce management firm Kronos had said the US led with "overtime" for workers followed by India. India's labour law mandates that if a worker does "overtime" then the person is entitled to get twice the amount of wages to the ordinary wages. The law also says that "overtime work" should not exceed ten hours a day and 54 hours a week.

Finland's PM Sanna Marin wants four-day work week with six-hour days

<p>Estonia&nbsp;apologised to Finland on Monday&nbsp;after&nbsp;Estonia's interior&nbsp;minister&nbsp;mocked Finland's new prime&nbsp;minister&nbsp;-- the world's youngest-serving government leader -- as "a sales girl" and questioned her ability to run the Nordic country.</p>

<p>Mart Helme, 70,&nbsp;Estonian interior&nbsp;minister&nbsp;and leader of the populist far-right party Ekre, on Sunday ridiculed&nbsp;Finnish&nbsp;Prime&nbsp;Minister&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/finland-sanna-marin-34-becomes-worlds-youngest-serving-prime-minister-267052">Sanna Marin</a>, 34, and her government, in which four out of five coalition leaders are women under 35.</p>

<p>"Now we see how one sales girl has become a prime&nbsp;minister&nbsp;and how some other street activists and non-educated people have also joined the cabinet," Helme said on his party's radio talk show.</p>

<p>His comments prompted the opposition to call for his resignation, while&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-can-bring-countries-online-says-estonian-president-252363">Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid</a> asked <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/finns-worried-by-russia-hand-cautious-president-huge-election-win-31118">Finland's President Sauli Niinisto</a> to pass on her apologies to Marin and her government.</p>

<p>Social Democrat Marin, who has spoken about growing up in a disadvantaged family, worked as a cashier before studying at university and embarking on a political career.</p>

<p>"I'm extremely proud of Finland. Here a poor family's child can educate themselves and achieve their goals in life. A cashier can become even a prime&nbsp;minister," Marin wrote on Twitter.</p>

<p>Helme, a former&nbsp;Estonian ambassador to Russia, is known for outspoken statements that regularly embarrass Prime&nbsp;Minister&nbsp;Juri Ratas and his Centre Party, Ekre's coalition partner.</p>

<p>Ekre was accepted for the first time into a government coalition in April,&nbsp;after&nbsp;Ratas lost parliamentary elections but clinched a deal with Ekre to stay in power.</p>

<p>Estonian opposition leader Kaja Kallas said on Monday the opposition would organise a no-confidence vote in parliament if Helme does not resign&nbsp;after&nbsp;his comments about Finland's new leaders. Previous such attempts have failed.</p>

<p>"The interior&nbsp;minister&nbsp;has offended the&nbsp;Finnish&nbsp;government and personally attacked the newly-appointed&nbsp;Finnish&nbsp;prime&nbsp;minister," she said in a statement.</p>


Estonia apologised to Finland on Monday after Estonia's interior minister mocked Finland's new prime minister -- the world's youngest-serving government leader -- as "a sales girl" and questioned her ability to run the Nordic country.

Estonia apologised to Finland on Monday after Estonia's interior minister mocked Finland's new prime minister -- the world's youngest-serving government leader -- as "a sales girl" and questioned her ability to run the Nordic country. Mart Helme, 70, Estonian interior minister and leader of the populist far-right party Ekre, on Sunday ridiculed Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin, 34, and her government, in which four out of five coalition leaders are women under 35. "Now we see how one sales girl has become a prime minister and how some other street activists and non-educated people have also joined the cabinet," Helme said on his party's radio talk show. His comments prompted the opposition to call for his resignation, while Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid asked Finland's President Sauli Niinisto to pass on her apologies to Marin and her government. Social Democrat Marin, who has spoken about growing up in a disadvantaged family, worked as a cashier before studying at university and embarking on a political career. "I'm extremely proud of Finland. Here a poor family's child can educate themselves and achieve their goals in life. A cashier can become even a prime minister," Marin wrote on Twitter. Helme, a former Estonian ambassador to Russia, is known for outspoken statements that regularly embarrass Prime Minister Juri Ratas and his Centre Party, Ekre's coalition partner. Ekre was accepted for the first time into a government coalition in April, after Ratas lost parliamentary elections but clinched a deal with Ekre to stay in power. Estonian opposition leader Kaja Kallas said on Monday the opposition would organise a no-confidence vote in parliament if Helme does not resign after his comments about Finland's new leaders. Previous such attempts have failed. "The interior minister has offended the Finnish government and personally attacked the newly-appointed Finnish prime minister," she said in a statement.

Estonia apologises after minister taunts Finnish PM as 'sales girl'

<p>Sanna Marin needs no advice, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on new Finland PM who took over Ardern's mantle to become world's youngest female head of government.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/finland-sanna-marin-34-becomes-worlds-youngest-serving-prime-minister-267052">Marin </a>has not just become the youngest female prime minister but the overall youngest sitting head of government, ahead of Ukraine's Prime Minister Oleksiy Honcharuk, who is currently 35.</p>

<p>"Oh, look, she needs no advice. This is ultimately one of those issues when people assume of course because you are young that you are not bringing experience and expertise to the table necessarily," Ardern said on Marin in an interview to Reuters on Wednesday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;"I see she's already a minister, she's already a member of the government. All I would say is: go well."</p>

<p>Marin, a former transport minister, was considered as a tough, straight-talking operator during her five-year tenure (2012-17) as leader of the city council in her hometown of Tampere, when she was 27.&nbsp;</p>

<p>At 34, Marin became world's youngest prime minister when she is sworn by Finnish Parliament on Tuesday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Ardern, 39, gained prominence during New Zealand's 2017 election and is now regarded as part of a new wave of young and progressive leaders that includes the likes of France's Emmanuel Macron and Canadian PM Justin Trudeau.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The message of New Zealand's prime minister, however, was in contrast with the advice shared by Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who at 94 is the oldest leader of a country.</p>

<p>"While we believe in the idealism of young people, it is important also for them to consider the experience of the old people," Mahathir said.</p>


Sanna Marin needs no advice, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on new Finland PM who took over Ardern's mantle to become world's youngest female head of government.

Sanna Marin needs no advice, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on new Finland PM who took over Ardern's mantle to become world's youngest female head of government. Marin has not just become the youngest female prime minister but the overall youngest sitting head of government, ahead of Ukraine's Prime Minister Oleksiy Honcharuk, who is currently 35. "Oh, look, she needs no advice. This is ultimately one of those issues when people assume of course because you are young that you are not bringing experience and expertise to the table necessarily," Ardern said on Marin in an interview to Reuters on Wednesday. "I see she's already a minister, she's already a member of the government. All I would say is: go well." Marin, a former transport minister, was considered as a tough, straight-talking operator during her five-year tenure (2012-17) as leader of the city council in her hometown of Tampere, when she was 27. At 34, Marin became world's youngest prime minister when she is sworn by Finnish Parliament on Tuesday. Ardern, 39, gained prominence during New Zealand's 2017 election and is now regarded as part of a new wave of young and progressive leaders that includes the likes of France's Emmanuel Macron and Canadian PM Justin Trudeau. The message of New Zealand's prime minister, however, was in contrast with the advice shared by Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who at 94 is the oldest leader of a country. "While we believe in the idealism of young people, it is important also for them to consider the experience of the old people," Mahathir said.

Sanna Marin needs no advice: Jacinda Ardern to world's youngest leader

<p>Sanna Marin – a minister of Finland government – will become the youngest Prime Minister&nbsp;in the world when she takes control of the country next week.</p>

<p>The 34-year old transport minister of Finland has been selected by the Social Democrats to lead the nation.</p>

<p>Sanna Marin narrowly won Sunday's vote to replace outgoing leader Antti Rinne, who resigned on Tuesday after losing the confidence of the coalition partner Centre Party over his handling of a postal strike.</p>

<p>Former PM Antti Rinne had headed Finland's centre-left five-party coalition since June, and Marin's appointment is unlikely to lead to significant policy changes by the Social Democrat-led administration.</p>

<p>At 34, Marin also becomes one of the world's youngest state leaders, ahead of Ukraine's prime minister Oleksiy Honcharuk, who is currently 35.</p>

<p>Finland's social democrats, who lead the five-party coalition government, picked on Marin to become the country's PM.</p>

<p>With this, Marin joins the ranks of New Zealand's prime minister, Jacinda Arden and Denmark's Mette Frederiksen. As world leaders under 50.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, the other four parties in Finland are also led by women, three of whom are under 35 years old.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Finland’s government is now led by these five party leaders. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/newgeneration?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#newgeneration</a> <a href="https://t.co/vis0qB9tO8">pic.twitter.com/vis0qB9tO8</a></p>
— Tuomas Niskakangas (@TNiskakangas) <a href="https://twitter.com/TNiskakangas/status/1203729511658995713?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p><em>(With inputs from AFP)</em></p>


Sanna Marin – a minister of Finland government – will become the youngest Prime Minister in the world when she takes control of the country next week. The 34-year old transport minister of Finland has been selected by the Social Democrats to lead the nation.

Sanna Marin – a minister of Finland government – will become the youngest Prime Minister in the world when she takes control of the country next week. The 34-year old transport minister of Finland has been selected by the Social Democrats to lead the nation. Sanna Marin narrowly won Sunday's vote to replace outgoing leader Antti Rinne, who resigned on Tuesday after losing the confidence of the coalition partner Centre Party over his handling of a postal strike. Former PM Antti Rinne had headed Finland's centre-left five-party coalition since June, and Marin's appointment is unlikely to lead to significant policy changes by the Social Democrat-led administration. At 34, Marin also becomes one of the world's youngest state leaders, ahead of Ukraine's prime minister Oleksiy Honcharuk, who is currently 35. Finland's social democrats, who lead the five-party coalition government, picked on Marin to become the country's PM. With this, Marin joins the ranks of New Zealand's prime minister, Jacinda Arden and Denmark's Mette Frederiksen. As world leaders under 50. Meanwhile, the other four parties in Finland are also led by women, three of whom are under 35 years old. Finland’s government is now led by these five party leaders. #newgeneration pic.twitter.com/vis0qB9tO8 — Tuomas Niskakangas (@TNiskakangas) December 8, 2019 × (With inputs from AFP)

Sanna Marin, 34, becomes world's youngest-serving prime minister

The former Transport Minister of Finland, Sanna Marin becomes one of the world’s youngest Prime Minister.

Finland gets Youngest Prime Minister, Sanna Marin

The former Transport Minister of Finland, Sanna Marin becomes one of the world’s youngest Prime Minister

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Sanna Marin, 34, becomes world's youngest-serving prime minister

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Finland gets Youngest Prime Minister, Sanna Marin

Finland gets Youngest Prime Minister, Sanna Marin