As many as four of the ministers in Petteri Orpo’s (National Coalition Party, NCP) Government could be members of TEK.
Of the TEK members, Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering Anders Adlercreutz (Swedish People's Party of Finland, SFP) and Minister of Transport and Communications Lulu Ranne (The Finns Party, PS) started as ministers immediately. Sakari Puisto (PS) will serve as Minister of Economic Affairs, and Chair of TEK’s Board Mari-Leena Talvitie (NCP) will serve as Minister of Science and Culture in two years’ time.
TEK’s Director of Public Affairs Juhani Nokela is pleased to see a wide range of technological competence and understanding in the government.
“Finland possesses strong technological competence, and it is important for TEK that experts in this industry also serve as ministers who decide on the allocation of resources, for example.”
According to Nokela, TEK plans to lobby the government not only for labour market issues, but particularly to ensure that the promised investments in RDI are made and aimed appropriately.
“One of the essential elements of this is that we have RDI talent – new professionals receive high-quality education and talented young people can study the field of technology. We also need to support international talent moving to Finland. TEK is opposed to the entries in the government programme that jeopardise the position of international talent.”
TEK's lobbying practices will remain the same, but become more focused.
“TEK’s lobbying efforts rely on the best, reliable knowledge that we present to decision-makers in meetings and various events. We will be even more active in this field and find the best partners to help turn our goals into decisions.”