Matti Vanhala

Matti Luka Vanhala (born June 23, 1965) is an Arolan politician, who served as the eighth president of Arola from 2010 to 2018.

Early life and education
Matti Luka Vanhala was born on June 23, 1965 in Muhos, Arola to Arolan parents who were supportive of the Labour Party. Vanhala graduated from the University of Kelvia with a bachelor’s degree in law and economics.

Career
Vanhala joined the Labour Party in 1988. In February 1997, Vanhala was chosen as the party chairman of the Labour Party, a position he held until 2008.

President of Arola (2010-2018)
In March 2009, Vanhala announced that he would represent the Labour Party as the candidate for the 2010 Arolan presidential election. Vanhala was immensely popular with Labour Party supporters, as he vowed to end the economic decline during Benjamin Palander’s tenure, and won the election.

His presidency saw the smooth increase of Arola’s GDP from AR$240 million in 2010 to AR$300 million in 2011. He was re-elected for a second term after winning the 2014 Arolan presidential election.

Personal life
Vanhala has been married to lawyer Avery Hietala since 1993. The couple have two children, daughter Lotte Elise (born October 1996) and son Liam Valentin (born March 2001).

Vanhala currently lives with his family in downtown Kelvia in Arola.