Eljas Erkko

Who was Eljas Erkko?

Juho Eljas Erkko was a Finnish politician and journalist. He was a foreign minister and negotiated with the Soviet Union before the Winter War started. Erkko's father was politician and journalist Eero Erkko and son journalist Aatos Erkko.

Eljas Erkko graduated as Abitur in 1914, Vimpeli School of War in 1918 and Master of Laws in 1922. He was elected as a Member of Parliament in 1 September 1933 from Uusimaa constituency. Erkko was a President's elector chosen by voters in the presidential election 1931, 1937, 1940 and 1943.

Erkko was the Finnish foreign minister between 1938 and 1939, as the Finns negotiated with the Soviet Union. The Soviets demanded exchange of areas with Finland. Erkko did not want to make any concessions. As the Winter War started, Väinö Tanner assigned a new government and decided to appoint himself as foreign minister. Between 1939 and 1940 he was a chargé d'affaires in Stockholm.

At the beginning of the Continuation War, Erkko was a head of POW office in Finland till 1942. After the war, Erkko was charged in court-martial in 1946, the charges were dropped.

Later years Erkko worked as CEO and head of corporate government of Sanoma.