Finland defence minister to take two months’ paternity leave amid Nato bid

Antti Kaikkonen says ‘children are only little for a moment’ as party backs his move

Finland’s defence minister will take almost two months’ paternity leave early next year amid his country’s bid to join Nato, a move his Centre party praised.

“We proudly support Antti Kaikkonen’s decision,” the party leader and finance minister, Annika Saarikko, said. Kaikkonen will be off work from 6 January until the end of February.