Vanhanen studied political science at the University of Helsinki, graduating as a Master of Social Sciences in 1989. He was chairman of the Centre Party Youth League from 1980 to 1983. He also served as a member of the Espoo City Council from 1981 to 1984. Vanhanen used to work as a journalist. He was an editor (1985–1988) and editor-in-chief (1988–1991) at the local newspaper "Kehäsanomat". In a column in "Suomenmaa" (the Centre Party's organ), he strongly condemned the "Baltic Star" pro-Estonian independence demonstration held in Helsinki in July 1985, calling the demonstration "provocative".