On 14 June 2010, Saarikko was elected to the vice chair of the Centre Party.

[4] From 10 July 2017 to 6 June 2019 Saarikko served as the minister of family affairs and social services.

[6] She became Deputy Prime Minister of Finland, traditionally held by the leader of the second largest party in the government coalition, in September 2020.

Due to the election defeat, Saarikko announced that the party would not seek a place in the government.

[8] In February 2024, Saarikko announced that she will not seek another term as leader at the party conference in June 2024.