Tuula Irmeli Haatainen is a Finnish politician and a member of the Finnish Parliament, with the Social Democratic Party. She was the Minister of Education 2003–2005 and the Minister of Social Affairs and Health 2005–2007.

The Social Democratic Party of Finland is a social democratic and pro-European political party in Finland. It is the third largest party in the Parliament of Finland with 43 seats. Founded in 1899 as the Workers' Party of Finland, the SDP is Finland's oldest active political party and has a close relationship with the Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions. It is also a member of the Party of European Socialists, Progressive Alliance, Socialist International and SAMAK.