Finland: Conservative Alexander Stubb is New President

Alexander Stubb, born in 1968 former prime minister, won the second round of Finland’s presidential election and will replace Sauli Niinistö starting March 1, 2024. As an expression of the center-right formation of the National Coalition and a staunch pro-European, Stubb defeated Green Party representative Pekka Haavisto with 51.6% of the vote.

In Finland, the president has extensive powers in the security and foreign policy sectors, an area in which he has repeatedly expressed strong support for Ukraine and a tough stance toward Russia, the country with which Finland shares a 1340-kilometer border and with which it has been a historic ally for decades. This election solidifies the country’s changed foreign policy, culminating in its NATO membership in April 2023.

Stubb commented on his win, calling it “the greatest honor of his life.” “I have a feeling of calmness, humility, but of course, at the same time I am extremely happy and grateful that Finns voted in such large numbers and that I can serve as president of the Republic of Finland.”

The competition with his rival was tight from the first round, when Stubb won with 27.2% of the vote against Haavisto’s 25.8%. After losing in the second round, Haavisto congratulated him, explaining: “I believe that Finland now has a good president. Alexander Stubb is an experienced and competent person for the job.”