Finland nominates Hannu Takkula as its candidate for the European Court of Auditors

On 31 August 2017, the Government decided to nominate MEP Hannu Takkula, Doctor of Education, as Finland’s candidate for the position of a member of the European Court of Auditors for the period beginning on 1 March 2018.

Prior to the European Parliament, Takkula has served as Member of the Finnish Parliament. In 1997–1999 he served as Parliamentary Auditor, in 1997–2003 as Parliamentary Trustee of the Social Insurance Institution of Finland, and in 2004 as member of the Parliamentary Audit Committee. As of February 2017, Takkula has been member of the European Parliament Budgetary Control Committee. He has also held other important positions of trust consisting of responsibilities relating to auditing and use of public funds. The term of Ville Itälä, who is Finland’s current representative at the European Court of Auditors, will end on 28 February 2018.

The European Court of Auditors is responsible for auditing the EU's finances. One of its main duties is to submit an annual report on the previous financial year to the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union. Each Member State has a national representative at the Court of Auditors. The Council of the European Union appoints members to the Court for a six-year period after having consulted the European Parliament. Members of the Court carry out their duties independently and in the common interest of the entire European Union.

Inquiries: Riikka Pakarinen, Special Adviser (EU Affairs), tel. +358 40 580 0833, Kare Halonen, State Secretary, EU Affairs, tel. + 358 295 160 319, Prime Minister’s Office