Antti Lindtman
Antti Ilmari Lindtman (born 11 August 1982) is a Finnish politician who has served as leader of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) since September 2023. He has been the chairman of the city council of Vantaa since 2009 and a member of the Parliament of Finland for Uusimaa since April 2011. In April 2015, he was elected as the chairman of the Social Democratic Parliamentary Group.[1]
Antti Lindtman | |
---|---|
Leader of the Social Democratic Party | |
Assumed office 1 September 2023 | |
Preceded by | Sanna Marin |
Member of the Parliament of Finland | |
Assumed office 17 April 2011 | |
Constituency | Uusimaa |
Personal details | |
Born | Antti Ilmari Lindtman 11 August 1982 Vantaa, Finland |
Political party | Social Democratic |
Spouse |
Kaija Helena Stormbom
(m. 2011) |
Parent | Jouko Ilmari Lindtman Eija Tellervo Niskanen |
Education | University of Helsinki (2013–2016) |
Website | https://anttilindtman.fi/ |
In October 2016, it was found out that Lindtman had handed secret lists to the speakers of the Parliament in which he had suggested which MPs from the SDP should get turns to speak in plenary sessions. The speakers had been under the impression that the lists were the result of an internal agreement of the parliamentary group, whereas Lindtman had made the decision alone and without informing anyone else. The practice had continued for at least a year.[2] The revelation led to heavy criticism of Lindtman's actions by the members of the parliamentary group, after which Lindtman apologized for his actions.[3][4]
Lindtman came out in support of the legislative reforms arising from the Oulu child sexual exploitation scandal.[5]
Lindtman came in second in a vote to replace Social Democratic leader Antti Rinne in December 2019 after his resignation, narrowly losing to Transportation Minister Sanna Marin. Following the resignation of Marin after the 2023 election, Lindtman was elected to replace her as Social Democratic leader at a party meeting in Jyväskylä on 1 September 2023.[6]
In 2023, a photo of Lindtman emerged, where he is posing alongside two men who are performing the Nazi salute. Lindtman is not performing the salute himself in the photo, but is shirtless, holding a hand gun, and wearing a balaclava. The photo caused scandal in both Finland and internationally.[7][8] Lindtman confirmed the photo is genuine but denied ever being a Nazi. He explained it by saying "the guys went a bit too far with their poses".[9]
References
- "Antti Lindtman". Parliament of Finland.
- "Skandaali Sdp:ssä – Lindtman laatinut puhemiehistölle salaisia listoja "sopivista puhujista". ilta-Sanomat. 27 October 2016. Retrieved 28 October 2016.
- "Sdp:n eduskuntaryhmässä kuohuu – ryhmä raivostui puheenjohtaja Lindtmanin toimintatavoista". Helsingin Sanomat. 27 October 2016. Retrieved 28 October 2016.
- "Antti Lindtman ei aio erota: "Kannan tästä vastuun"". Ilta-Sanomat. 28 October 2016. Retrieved 28 October 2016.
- "Finnish Parliament affirms support for three proposals to prevent sex crimes". Helsinki Times. 16 January 2019. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
Antti Lindtman, the chairperson of the Social Democratic Parliamentary Group, drew attention to the exceptional nature of the joint declaration by the groups. 'This is the strongest message this house can send,' he said.
- "SDP elects Antti Lindtman as Sanna Marin's successor". News. 1 September 2023. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
- Buncombe, Andrew (5 September 2023). "Finland's opposition leader under fire over Nazi salute photo". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
- Moody, Oliver (5 September 2023). "Finland SDP leader under fire over Nazi salute photo". ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
- "Finland's new opposition party leader defends Nazi salute photo". The Independent. 5 September 2023. Retrieved 5 September 2023.