Kalevi Sorsa - Prime Minister

Prime Minister

Sorsa was one of the major political figures during presidencies of Kekkonen and Koivisto. Sorsa was the chairman of Social Democratic Party from 1975 to 1987 and Prime Minister of Finland of four cabinets for about 10 years total (1972–1975, 1977–1979, 1982–1983, 1983–1987). He still holds the record of the longest-serving prime minister. He was the Speaker of Parliament from 1989 to 1991, and Deputy Prime Minister 1975–1976 and 1987–1989.

Sorsa is regarded as one of the most influential prime ministers of Finland. Sorsa's contribution was important both for public services such as schools and health care reforms, as well as the strengthening of social security for both families with children and pensioners. His governments took a number of domestic policy reforms (including the law on child care, the extension of maternity leave, the annual vacation benefit act, as well as the public health act). Sorsa's governments strengthened the Finnish welfare state.

Sorsa also participated actively in the international social democratic movement. He supported the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe process, as well as the projects to bridge the gap between world's rich and poor countries. Despite the opposition of far-left parties, Sorsa supported the European Economic Community (EEC) free trade agreement in the 1970s, which would have made the ties between Finland and EEC countries closer. The agreement eventually got confirmed. Of the politicians of his era, he had the most difficult relationship with Paavo Väyrynen, an equally strongwilled opponent at the helm of the Center Party. Another notable prolonged conflict was a rivalry with the young Paavo Lipponen on his way up.

He met Soviet Premier Nikolai Tikhonov during his state visit to the Soviet Union in 1984.