Finnish politician
Aura Salla (born 13 June 1984)[3] is a Finnish politician and a Member of the European Parliament.
Early life
Salla obtained a master's degree in political science from the University of Turku in 2011, followed by a PhD in 2021; the title of her thesis was The Euro Crisis 2010–2014: The Changing Role of the European Commission.[2][4]
Before her studies, Salla completed her voluntary national military service in the Finnish Air Force, discharged at the rank of sergeant.[3]
Career
Salla ran unsuccessfully in the 2014 and 2019 European Parliament election, instead ending up as an advisor, first in Commissioner Jyrki Katainen's cabinet (2014–2016), followed by a similar role in the strategy unit of Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker (2016–2020).[3]
From there she moved into business, taking up the post of Public Policy Director and Head of EU Affairs at Meta in 2020, where she was described by Politico as "Zuckerberg’s woman in Brussels".[5] She remained in that role for three years leading up to her election to the Finnish Parliament in April 2023, representing the Helsinki constituency for the National Coalition Party.[2]
In addition to her regular role as a Member of Parliament, Salla is a member of the Finnish delegations to the Nordic Council and the Council of Europe.[2]
Personal life
Salla is married to diplomat Turo Mattila, whom she met professionally in Brussels; the couple have two children.[3][6] Her hobbies include pilates, going to the gym, and pesäpallo.[3]
References
