Paula Risikko (born 4 June 1960) is a Finnish politician. She is from Seinäjoki and represents the National Coalition Party. Risikko has previously served as the Minister of Social Services 2011–2014 and Minister of Transport and Local Government 2014–2015.

Paula Risikko
Speaker of the Parliament of Finland
In office
5 February 2018 – 16 April 2019
Preceded byMaria Lohela
Succeeded byAntti Rinne
Minister of the Interior
In office
22 June 2016 – 5 February 2018
Prime MinisterJuha Sipilä
Preceded byPetteri Orpo
Succeeded byKai Mykkänen
Minister of Transport and Local Government
In office
24 June 2014 – 29 May 2015
Prime MinisterAlexander Stubb
Preceded byHenna Virkkunen
Succeeded byAnu Vehviläinen
Anne Berner
Minister of Social Affairs and Health
In office
22 June 2011 – 24 June 2014
Prime MinisterJyrki Katainen
Preceded byJuha Rehula
Succeeded byLaura Räty
Member of the Parliament
Assumed office
19 March 2003
Personal details
Born (1960-06-04) 4 June 1960 (age 64)
Ylihärmä, Finland
(now Kauhava)
Political partyNational Coalition Party
Alma materSeinäjoki University
University of Oulu
University of Kuopio
University of Tampere

Paula Risikko is Doctor of Science (Health Care) in 1997 from the University of Tampere. Her dissertation was entitled “The current and future quality requirement in nursery”. Risikko has received Honorary Doctorate from the University of Vaasa. She is taking a break from her regular position as the Vice Rector of the Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences, because her involvement in politics. In 2007 parliamentary elections, Risikko received 9 266 votes.

In the wake of the 2018 Oulu children sexual abuse gangs, Risikko stated her position in favor of deporting foreign sexual predators, saying: "We’ll deliver punishments for these kinds of crimes and, if necessary, send you back to your home country.”[1]

Risikko has donated to numerous health care organizations such as the NGO's addressing Autism and Asperger's Syndrome, the Finnish delegation to the Cancer Society, Diabetes Association, Finland MS Association, Arthritis Foundation and, for example, Alfred Korde's Finland and UNIFEM- Organization.

Risikko has been married to her husband Heikki Tapani Risikko since 2000. In 2006 Paula and her husband adopted a Chinese daughter Aino Taika Huanzhen.[2]

References

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  1. ^ Aleksi Teivainen (7 January 2019). "Risikko ready to make revoking residence permits easier". Helsinki Times. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
  2. ^ "Näilläkin julkisuudesta tutuilla on adoptiolapsi". Mtv.fi. 2 August 2011. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
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Political offices
Preceded by Speaker of Parliament
2018–2019
Succeeded by
Preceded by Minister of the Interior
2016–2018
Succeeded by