Timo Juhani Soini (born 30 May 1962) is a Finnish politician who is the co-founder and former leader of the Finns Party.

In the 2011 parliamentary election, his party won 19.1% of the votes, which was described as "shocking" and "exceptional" by the Finnish media.

[7] Helsingin Sanomat concluded that "Timo Soini rewrote the electoral history books".

In March 2017, Soini announced that he would step down as Chair of the Finns Party in June 2017,[9] causing a hotly contested leadership election.

[12] Timo Soini worked for the food company Linkosuo Oy for two summers in 1981 and 1982 and was Secretary-General and Chairman of the Kehittyvän Suomen Nuorten Liitto (Youth League of Developing Finland) from 1983 to 1992.

[18] According to the BBC, Soini is "a die-hard supporter" of English football club Millwall FC.

[19] As of 2011, Soini lived in the Kaitaa district of Espoo, in the Greater Helsinki area, residing in the same apartment block since 1968.

[21] A university professor and a political analyst, Mr. Jan Sundberg, pointed to Soini's oratorical skills and ability to appeal to common people and make complicated things look easy.

[5] During the government negotiations following the election the Finns Party decided against participating in Katainen's coalition cabinet, citing greatly differing stances on the EU, especially regarding bailouts for debt-ridden euro countries.

[23] His curriculum vitae on the European Parliament webpage and the Finnish Parliament webpage list the following:[24][25] He has frequently visited the United States and received invitations to several establishment meetings, such as National Prayer Breakfast hosted by President Barack Obama.

[29][30] In Finland Soini has also been seen hosting senior American politicians, such as the conservative former presidential candidate Michele Bachmann in April 2014.

His views on religious and moral issues include opposition to abortion, homosexuality and the ordination of women as priests.