Arvo Aalto Explained

Office:Chairman of the Communist Party
Term Start:June 1984
Term End:1988
Predecessor:Jouko Kajanoja
Office1:Minister of Labour
Term Start1:1977
Term End1:1981
Successor1:Jouko Kajanoja
Birth Date:13 July 1932
Birth Place:Rovaniemi, Finland
Party:Communist Party
Children:2
Alma Mater:Sirola Institute

Arvo Aalto (born 13 July 1932) is a Finnish politician who headed the Communist Party between 1984 and 1988. He also served as the labour minister from 1977 to 1981.

Early life and education

Aalto was born in Rovaniemi on 13 July 1932.[1] He graduated from Sirola Institute[2] in 1956 and also, received education at Moscow Party School in the period 1961–1962.[1] [3]

Career

Aalto was a trade unionist.[4] He joined the Communist Party in 1951. He was its secretary in Lapland in 1956[1] and part of the progressive group in the party.[4] He was elected as the general secretary of the party under party chairman Aarne Saarinen in 1969[2] replacing Ville Pessi in the post.[5] Pessi had resigned from the post due to internal conflicts in the party.[6] Aalto served as the general secretary until 1984 with some interruptions.[1] During his term the leadership of the Communist Party was progressive and revised the manifesto of the party.[7]

Aalto was the minister of labour from 1977 to 1981.[1] He was replaced by Jouko Kajanoja in the post.[2] In June 1984 Aalto was elected as the chairman of the Communist Party obtaining 183 votes against 163 votes in favor of the former chairman Jouko Kajanoja.[8] During his tenure Aalto visited China in January 1987 becoming the highest ranking Finnish communist to visit China in more than 20 years.[9] Aalto headed the party until May 1988[1] [3] when he and the politburo resigned due to economic crisis experienced by the party.[10] [11]

Personal life and views

Aalto has two daughters.[1] While serving as the chairman of the Communist Party he was not so close to the Soviet Communist Party.[8] He does not support the NATO membership of Finland.[1]

Notes and References

  1. News: Veli-Pekka Leppänen. Arvo Aalto pani taannoin hanttiin Kremlille – nyt hän ei pidä viisaana Suomen Nato-päätöstä. Helsingin Sanomat. 26 July 2022. 12 July 2022. fi.
  2. News: Paper Views Possible Successors. 26 January 2023. JPRS Report. 24 May 1988. Pekka Ervasti. 17. Helsingin Sanomat.
  3. News: Mirja Niemitalo. SKP:n ex-pääsihteeri Arvo Aalto: Sotauhittelu vaarallista politiikkaa. fi. 26 July 2022. Satakunnan Kansa. 11 June 2016.
  4. R. Neal Tannahill. Leadership as a Determinant of Diversity in Western European Communism. Studies in Comparative Communism. Winter 1976. 9. 4. 361. 45367151.
  5. John H. Hodgson. The Finnish Communist Party. Slavic Review. March 1970. 29. 1. 79. John H. Hodgson. 10.2307/2493091. 2493091 . 163842405 . free.
  6. 6. George Schöpflin. Michael Leifer. Notes of the Month. The World Today. June 1969. 25. 233. 40394276.
  7. Pirkko Kotila. Hertta Kuusinen - The "Red Lady of Finland". Science & Society. January 2006. 70. 10.1521/siso.2006.70.1.46. 1. 69.
  8. News: Finnish Party Ousts Pro-Soviet Faction. 26 July 2022. 6 June 1984. The New York Times.
  9. News: Jane Macartney. Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping said today the Communist Party.... 15 January 1987. 26 July 2022. United Press International.
  10. News: CP Politburo Quits Following Finance Scandal. 26 January 2023. JPRS Report. 12 May 1988. 5. Helsingin Sanomat.
  11. News: KU:n arkistosta: Vasemmistoliiton perustamisessa koettiin intohimoa, rakkautta, vihaa, petoksia ja pettymyksiä. Kansan Uutiset. 2 May 2020. fi. 24 May 2024.