Finland has a new president: Alexander Stubb, the conservative former prime minister who led the country into NATO and took a tough stance against Russia. Stubb won a narrow victory over his Green Party rival Pekka Haavisto, the former foreign minister, in Sunday’s run-off election. He secured 51.6% of the vote, while Haavisto had 48.4%.
Stubb, 55, is a seasoned politician and a fluent speaker of six languages. He has a PhD in international relations and has served as Finland’s finance minister, foreign minister, and trade minister. He is also an avid triathlete and a fan of heavy metal music.
Stubb is known for his pro-European and pro-NATO views, as well as his hardline approach towards Russia, with which Finland shares a long border. He was the prime minister who decided to apply for NATO membership in 2022, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Finland officially became the 31st member of the alliance in April 2023, ending decades of military non-alignment.
Stubb’s election comes amid rising tensions between Finland and Russia. The border crossings have been closed for several months, and Finland accuses Russia of deliberately bringing asylum seekers to the border without the necessary documents in order to sow discord. Stubb has said that joining NATO was a “done deal” for Finland and that he sees no possibility of dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin as long as Russia is waging war against Ukraine.
Stubb’s victory also marks a shift in Finland’s political landscape, as he defeated Haavisto, a veteran Green politician who ran as an independent. Haavisto, 65, is a former UN envoy and a pioneer of environmental and human rights issues. He was the first openly gay presidential candidate in Finland and had a strong support base among young and urban voters.
Haavisto conceded defeat and congratulated Stubb on his win. He also said that he would not run for any elections again and would focus on his job as a lawmaker. Haavisto had also unsuccessfully run for the presidency twice before, in 2012 and 2018.
Stubb will take office on March 1, succeeding Sauli Niinistö, who has completed two six-year terms and is not allowed to stand again. The Finnish president is directly elected and holds significant powers in foreign and security policy, as well as being the commander-in-chief of the armed forces.
Stubb has said that he wants to be a president for all Finns and that he has a vision for Finland’s role in Europe and the world. He has also pledged to work closely with Sweden, Finland’s Nordic neighbor and NATO partner, as well as with the US and other allies.
Stubb’s election is likely to have an impact on Finland’s relations with Russia, as well as on the future of the European Union, which is facing multiple challenges such as the coronavirus pandemic, the climate crisis, and the rise of populism. Stubb is a staunch supporter of European integration and has advocated for a more federal and democratic EU. He has also criticized the EU’s handling of the Brexit negotiations and has called for a reform of the bloc’s institutions and policies.
