18-year-old Annika Mikkonen to step into the Prime Minister's role for the Girls Takeover event
An exceptional change will take place in the duties of Finland's Prime Minister in March. 18-year-old Annika Mikkonen will step into the role of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo on Thursday, March 5, 2026. This is part of the international Girls Takeover event, which aims to amplify the voices of young women in societal decision-making.
Girls Takeover is a campaign organized by the organization Plan International, held annually around International Women's Day. The purpose of the event is to give young people the opportunity to experience leadership roles and to bring their perspectives into important discussions. In Finland, the event has established itself as a way to promote equality and youth participation.
During the day, Mikkonen will be able to follow the Prime Minister's work closely and participate in official meetings. Although it is a one-day experiment, the event carries symbolic significance. It serves as a reminder that young people have the right and the ability to influence the direction of society and future decisions.
The Government is participating in the event to show its support for youth empowerment. Prime Minister Petteri Orpo will hand over his seat to Mikkonen for the day, giving the young woman the opportunity to see how work is conducted at the government level and how decisions are prepared.
Events of this type are important, as they lower the threshold between young people and decision-makers. Annika Mikkonen's participation in the Prime Minister's duties is a concrete example of how young people can take their place in public discourse and influence the development of Finnish society.