Finland's parliament has elected Center Party member Matti Vanhanen as the country's new prime minister.

Mr. Vanhanen is expected to replace the country's first-ever female prime minister, Anneli Jaatteenmaki, who resigned last week over a documents scandal.

Finnish President Tarja Halonen must still confirm Mr. Vanhanen, a former journalist who currently is the country's defense minister.

Former Prime Minister Jaatteenmaki resigned last week amid allegations she used secret information on Iraq to help her win in March's parliamentary elections. Many attributed her slim victory to the revelations that appeared to show the government favoring the United States over Iraq, despite Finland's neutrality.