Wille Rydman will become the Finns Party’s new Minister of Social Affairs and Health, following unanimous selection by the party’s executive committee and parliamentary group.

The president will officially appoint him.

Party chair Riikka Purra cited in a press conference on Wednesday Rydman’s government experience as the reason for his selection and asked him to take the position last Friday.

Rydman described the portfolio as difficult but important, emphasizing that managing scarcity efficiently is necessary. He identified organizing social and health services economically for future generations as a key challenge and affirmed that agreed spending cuts will be followed.

Rydman believed the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health’s (STM) savings would be set during the government’s spring budget session.

“I’ve never been afraid of challenges. I thought I would manage,” Rydman described his expectations for the ministry in the press conference.

Wille Rydman is a 40-year-old member of Parliament from Helsinki who previously served as Minister of Economic Affairs in the government from 2023 to 2025.

Minister Kaisa Juuso resigned last week

Minister of Social Affairs and Health Kaisa Juuso (PS) resigned last Thursday.

The decision was made by herself.

Kaisa Juuso commented on her decision on Facebook. According to Juuso, the work has been really tough.

“We have had to make difficult decisions to secure services that are important to Finns. I believe I have done my best, but now it is time for someone else to take over. I wish my successor all the best and will do my best to help them. I am taking sick leave for the time being and will not comment further on the matter,” Juuso wrote.

Recently, Juuso faced strong criticism as minister and was last on extended sick leave in spring.

Kaisa Juuso, 65, has been representing the Lapland constituency in Parliament since 2019 and has served as Minister of Social Affairs and Health in Orpo’s government since 2023.