Henna Virkkunen
Henna Virkkunen | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, 2024 | |
| Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy | |
| Assumed office 1 December 2024 | |
| President | Ursula von der Leyen |
| Preceded by | Margrethe Vestager |
| Member of the European Parliament for Finland | |
| In office 1 July 2014 – 30 November 2024 | |
| Succeeded by | Sirpa Pietikäinen |
| Minister of Transport | |
| In office 4 April 2014 – 24 June 2014 | |
| Prime Minister | Jyrki Katainen |
| Preceded by | Merja Kyllönen |
| Succeeded by | Paula Risikko (Transport and Local Government) |
| Minister of Public Administration and Local Government | |
| In office 22 June 2011 – 24 June 2014 | |
| Prime Minister | Jyrki Katainen |
| Preceded by | Tapani Tölli |
| Succeeded by | Paula Risikko (Transport and Local Government) |
| Minister of Education | |
| In office 19 December 2008 – 22 June 2011 | |
| Prime Minister | Matti Vanhanen Mari Kiviniemi |
| Preceded by | Sari Sarkomaa |
| Succeeded by | Jukka Gustafsson |
| Member of the Finnish Parliament | |
| In office 21 March 2007 – 1 July 2014 | |
| Constituency | Helsinki |
| Member of the Jyväskylä City Council | |
| In office 20 October 1996 – 9 April 2016 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Henna Maria Virkkunen 4 June 1972 Joutsa, Finland |
| Political party | National Coalition |
| Spouse | Matti Mäkinen |
| Children | 1 |
| Alma mater | University of Jyväskylä |
| Website | www |
Henna Maria Virkkunen (Finnish pronunciation: [ˈhenːɑ ˈmɑriɑ ˈʋirkːunen]; born 4 June 1972) is a Finnish politician who serves as Executive Vice-president of the European Commission for technological sovereignty, security and democracy; digital and frontier technologies since December 1st, 2024.
She has been a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) between 2014 and 2024. She is a member of the National Coalition Party, part of the European People's Party. She was Minister of Public Administration and Local Government in the government of Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen from 22 June 2011 to 24 June 2014.[1]
Political career
[edit]European Parliament
[edit]In parliament, Virkkunen has been serving on the European Parliament Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (since 2014) and the European Parliament Committee on Transport and Tourism (since 2021).[2] In 2022, she joined the European Parliament Committee of Inquiry to investigate the use of Pegasus and equivalent surveillance spyware.[3][4]
Virkkunen was the rapporteur on the non-binding opinion on integrated digital platforms[5][6] and on driving and rest times.[7]
In addition to her committee assignments, Virkkunen has been a member of the parliament's delegation for relations with South Africa (2014-2019) and with the Arabian Peninsula (since 2019). She is also a member of the European Internet Forum;[8] the European Parliament Intergroup on LGBT Rights;[9] the European Parliament Intergroup on the Welfare and Conservation of Animals;[10] and the European Parliament Intergroup on Seas, Rivers, Islands and Coastal Areas.[11]
European Commission
[edit]Following the 2024 European elections, the Finnish government nominated Virkkunen as the country’s European Commissioner serving under President Ursula von der Leyen.[12] On 17 September 2024, President Ursula von der Leyen presented the list of Commissioners-designate and their portfolios, according to which Virkkunen will be the Executive Vice President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy for the European Commission in 2024-2029.[13]
Recognition
[edit]In December 2020, Virkkunen received the Energy award at The Parliament Magazine's annual MEP Awards.[14]
References
[edit]- ^ "Minister of Public Administration and Local Government". Archived from the original on 2012-08-30. Retrieved 2012-07-14.
- ^ Mia Bartoloni (March 26, 2021), Movers & Shakers The Parliament Magazine.
- ^ Members of the Committee of Inquiry to investigate the use of Pegasus and equivalent surveillance spyware European Parliament.
- ^ Parliament names MEPs to sit on three new committees European Parliament, press release of 24 March 2022.
- ^ Joanna Plucinska (January 31, 2017), Platforms rapporteur: Facebook falters in fake news fight Politico Europe.
- ^ "on online platforms and the digital single market (2016/2276(INI))". 2017-05-31.
- ^ Hanne Cokelaere and Joshua Posaner (October 8, 2019), 5 people who’ll decide the fate of the Mobility Package Politico Europe.
- ^ Members Archived 2019-11-07 at the Wayback Machine European Internet Forum.
- ^ Members European Parliament Intergroup on LGBTI Rights
- ^ Members Archived 2019-08-31 at the Wayback Machine European Parliament Intergroup on the Welfare and Conservation of Animals.
- ^ Members 2019-2024 European Parliament Intergroup on Seas, Rivers, Islands and Coastal Areas.
- ^ Barbara Moens (24 July 2024), Who will be the next European commissioners? Politico Europe.
- ^ Commissioners-designate (2024-2029) European Commission.
- ^ Johnson, Brian (2 December 2020). "MEP Awards 2020: Reaction and comment from our winners". The Parliament Magazine. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
External links
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- 1972 births
- Living people
- People from Joutsa
- National Coalition Party politicians
- Ministers of education of Finland
- Ministers of transport and public works of Finland
- Members of the Parliament of Finland (2007–2011)
- Members of the Parliament of Finland (2011–2015)
- MEPs for Finland 2014–2019
- MEPs for Finland 2019–2024
- 21st-century women MEPs for Finland
- Women government ministers of Finland
- Women members of the Parliament of Finland
- MEPs for Finland 2024–2029
- European commissioners (2024–2029)