alkio was a member of the finnish house of representatives from 1907–1908 and again from 1914–1922. he was vice-chairman of the eduskunta in 1917 and 1918. when the october revolution began in russia, the bolshevik declaration of the rights of the peoples of russia led to controversy in the finnish parliament on how to respond. based on alkio's proposal, the parliament of finland assumed sovereignty in finland on november 15, eventually leading to the finnish declaration of independence on december 6 (independence day of finland). after independence, alkio continued in parliament as the minister of social affairs from 1919–1920. he was the minister of social affairs of the vennola government from (15 august 1919 – 15 march 1920). an ardent temperance-movement activist, he participated in drafting the finnish prohibition and also was the minister responsible for the confirmation of president k. j. ståhlberg.