HELSINKI, June 22 (Xinhua) -- Finnish President Tarja Halonen on Tuesday appointed Mari Kiviniemi, new leader of the ruling Center Party, as the country's prime minister.

Kiviniemi, 41, replaced her predecessor Matti Vanhanen, who resigned last Friday after serving in office for seven years. Kiviniemi is expected to serve as prime minister until the next parliamentary elections, scheduled for April next year.

As expected, the Centre Party, the National Coalition Party, the Green League and the Swedish People's Party remain in the ruling coalition.

The new cabinet, which was also appointed on Tuesday, would continue the program of Vanhanen's cabinet.

The government said its priority was to boost economic growth, while a long-term plan would be developed to help stabilize faltering public finances.

Kiviniemi, holding a Master's degree in social sciences, has been a member of Finnish Parliament for 15 years. Her career includes serving as foreign trade and development minister as well as public administration and local government minister in Vanhanen's cabinet.