Timo Harakka

Henkilötiedot

Liikenne- ja viestintäministeri 10.12.2019–
Teatteritaiteen maisteri, toimittaja, kansanedustaja
Suomen Sosialidemokraattinen Puolue
Syntymäaika ja -paikka: 31.12.1962 Helsinki
Kotipaikka: Helsinki

Poliittinen ura

Liikenne- ja viestintäministeri 10.12.2019–
Työministeri (Rinne) 6.6.2019–10.12.2019

Kansanedustaja 2015–
Työ eduskunnassa

Muu työura ja yhteiskunnallinen toiminta

Yleisradio, toimittaja-tuottaja 1997–2014
Toimittaja, kolumnisti useissa lehdissä 1981–2014
Yrittäjä 1987–

Julkaisut

Suuri kiristys 2014
Luoton loppu 2009
Viemärirotta 1998
Spagettivatikaani 1995
Markiisi de Salaman vuodet 1986

Muut tiedot

Puoliso: Anu Laitila
Kielitaito: suomi, ruotsi, englanti, saksa
Harrastukset: kaikki kulttuuri, ikämiessähly kentällä ja koripallo katsomossa

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.