Finnish politician Annika Saarikko announces birth of third child, receives outpouring of public congratulations

40-year-old Annika Saarikko, a member of the Centre Party in Finland, shared some joyous news on her Instagram account on Thursday. “Our world was changed by the third brother in the series, a summer boy, who was born in Turku this morning,” she wrote.

The post has garnered numerous congratulations on the birth of the baby. Among the hundreds of comments, there are also well-wishes from familiar faces in the public eye. Millariikka Rytkönen, the chairwoman of the Union of Health and Social Care Professionals (Tehy), comments, “Welcome to the world, new life. Congratulations! Such wonderful news for today. Hug, Annika!”

Riikka Purra, the leader of the Finns Party, writes, “Congratulations Annika, Erkki, and boys. Wishing you lovely moments filled with the scent of a newborn and all the best for your family.”

Other notable figures such as Member of Parliament Hanna Sarkkinen, musician Juha Tapio, and TV host Vappu Pimiä also send their congratulations to the entire family. “So happy for you,” writes Member of the European Parliament Li Andersson.

The child born on Thursday is the third for Saarikko and her husband Erkki Papunen. The couple already have two children, Kaarlo and Aarni, born in 2014 and 2019 respectively. Saarikko shares on Instagram that the proud older brothers are eagerly awaiting their encounter with the baby. “He is small, cute, and fully ready for life,” she concludes.