Tanja Karpela, a Finnish Centre party MP and a former culture minister

Tanja Karpela, a Finnish Centre party MP and a former culture minister, announced Tuesday she would not stand for re-election in next year's general election.

Ms Karpela said she had decided after lengthy consideration to pursue new challenges.

Ms Karpela, winner of the 1991 Miss Finland contest, is a third-term MP. She served as culture minister between 2003 and 2007.

STT
Lehtikuva - Pekka Sakki