Alexander Stubb Elected President of Finland

Former Prime Minister of Finland Alexander Stubb has won the presidential election in the second round, securing 51.6% of the votes after all ballots were counted, reports the Yle portal.

His rival in the presidential race, former Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto, received 48.4% of the votes. Following the first round of elections held on January 28, Stubb and Haavisto advanced to the second round with results of 28.3% and 25.8%, respectively. A total of nine candidates participated in the presidential campaign.

According to the law, the president is elected for a term of six years, with no more than two consecutive terms. Stubb will become the thirteenth head of state and will take office on March 1.

Alexander Stubb has held several ministerial positions in the country’s governments. After being appointed as Foreign Minister in 2008, he emerged as an active supporter of NATO. From 2014 to 2015, he led the Cabinet of Ministers. In 2017, he announced he would permanently leave politics. Unexpectedly, in 2023, Stubb declared his intentions to run for the presidency.

This is the first time Finland is electing a new president after joining NATO in April 2023. Unlike many other Western countries, the Finnish president plays a significant role in shaping and implementing foreign policy, representing the country in NATO and leading the defense forces.

During the election campaign, Stubb positioned himself as a strong advocate of the Euro-Atlantic and anti-Russian course. He opposed Russia's participation in the UN Security Council as well as full relations with its eastern neighbor, as long as Russian troops remain in Ukraine. He supported the confiscation of Russian frozen assets to aid Kyiv.