Timo Harakka

Personal details

Minister of Transport and Communications, 10 December 2019 to present
Master of Arts (Theatre and Drama), Journalist, Member of Parliament
Social Democratic Party
Date and place of birth: 31 December 1962, Helsinki
Place of residence: Helsinki

Political career

Minister of Transport and Communications, 10 December 2019 to present
Minister of Employment (Rinne), 6 June 2019–10 December 2019 

Member of Parliament, 2015 to present
Parliament work

Other work experience and societal responsibilities

Finnish Broadcasting Company, Journalist, Producer 1997–2014
Journalist, Columinist, several papers 1981–2014
Entrepreneur 1987 to present

Publications

Suuri kiristys (The Big Blackmail) 2014
Luoton loppu (The End of Credit) 2009
Viemärirotta (The Sewer Rat) 1998
Spagettivatikaani (The Spaghetti Vatican) 1995
Markiisi de Salaman vuodet (S-The Marquis de Salama Years) 1986

Other information

Spouse: Anu Laitila
Language skills: Finnish, Swedish, English, German
Interests: culture in all forms, senior floorball and spectator basketball

Profile

Timo Harakka was born on 31 December 1962 in Helsinki. In Finland he is known for his active participation in public debate and involvement in society, and as a person with a keen interest in cultural matters. Prior to his political career, Harakka worked for over thirty years as a journalist, author and television producer.

Harakka grew up in a working-class family in Äänekoski, a small town in Central Finland. His parents were deaf, which is why his mother tongue is sign language.

He took his matriculation examination in 1981 and continued his studies at the Universities of Jyväskylä and Helsinki and at the Theatre Academy, from where he graduated with the degree of Master of Arts in Theatre and Drama. He has not yet completed his doctoral dissertation at the Institute for Advanced Social Research (IASR) at the University of Tampere.

During his journalist’s career, Harakka served as a columnist for Helsingin Sanomat, Suomen Kuvalehti and Talouselämä. In 1997–2014, he worked as editorial coordinator for Ylioppilaslehti magazine and as editor-in-chief of Vihreä Lanka magazine. His most well-known TV productions are the shows Musta laatikko (Black Box) and Pressiklubi (Press Club) and the 10 Books series, for which he earned the Golden Venla award in 2011.

Harakka has written five books, the last two of them concerned with international economy. Luoton loppu (The End of Credit) was published in 2009 and Suuri kiristys (The Great Extortion) in 2014.

Harakka was elected to Parliament  for the first time in 2015. He represents the Uusimaa electoral district, and as an MP he is known as an expert in economics and taxation. He has been a member of the Finance Committee (most recently its chair), a member of the Grand Committee and a deputy member of the Committee for the Future. In the Government led by Prime Minister Antti Rinne Timo Harakka served as the Minister of Employment, and now in Sanna Marin’s Government he serves as the Minister of Transport and Communications. 

The key themes for Minister of Transport and Communications Timo Harakka are fast and reliable connections, both in transport and online. Transport becomes a service and digitalisation is at the heart of everything. The keys to Finland’s success are the 5G and 6G networks, cyber expertise and world-class IT skills. Rail investments are needed to expand the commuting areas and secure a sustainable growth.

Harakka lives in Helsinki with his wife Anu Laitila and their three children.  Literature, architecture, other arts and basketball are close to his heart.