Advertisement

Meet the woman about to become the world's youngest prime minister

Meet the woman about to become the world's youngest prime minister

A 34-year-old woman is set to become Finland's prime minister on Tuesday - making her the youngest world leader.

Sanna Marin, who currently serves as the country's transport and communications minister, was nominated for the top job on Sunday.

She will be Finland's third-ever female prime minister when she is sworn in.

Ms Marin, from the dominant Social Democrats, will head a centre-left coalition of five parties - all of which are led by women.

Her appointment follows the resignation of Antti Rinne, who stepped down after a key coalition partner withdrew their support.

Politicians are set to approve the appointment of Ms Marin and her government this week so she can represent Finland at the EU leaders' summit in Brussels, which begins on Thursday.

Other new appointees in her administration include Katri Kulmuni, a 32-year-old who will become finance minister.

Finland, which has a population of 5.5 million, currently holds the European Union's rotating presidency until the end of the year.

A number of strikes are currently taking place in the country - and resolving them will be one of Ms Marin's first priorities.

Ms Marin joins a host of other young leaders on the world stage.

New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is 39, and Ukraine's leader Oleksiy Honcharuk is 35.

Sebastian Kurz became Austria's chancellor at the age of 31 back in 2017, and left the role in May.

Like Ms Ardern, Ms Marin is also a new mother, and she gave birth to her daughter Emma last year.

Ms Marin, who was raised by a single mother, recently told Finnish media how she felt discriminated against when her mother was in a relationship with another woman.