Katainen: Left Alliance's ministerial duties divided between existing ministers
(Translation. Originally published in Finnish on 31 March 2014)
The leaders of the five Government parties agreed today on 31 March that no new ministers will be appointed in place of the resigning Left Alliance ministers, but their responsibilities will be divided between existing ministers.
The duties of Minister of Transport Merja Kyllönen will be transferred to the National Coalition Party's ministerial group, while those of Minister of Culture and Sport Paavo Arhinmäki will be taken over by the Social Democratic Party's ministerial group. It was also decided that the position of State Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Culture will not be filled.
The party leaders made a unanimous statement at the meeting that the implementation of the Katainen Government's Government Programme will continue unchanged despite the Left Alliance's exit.
The Government's composition and division of responsibilities is due to be decided upon at sessions on Friday, 4 April.