Former Finnish Prime Minister Alexander Stubb has become the Scandinavian country’s 13th president, defeating former foreign minister Pekka Haavisto in Sunday’s election, local media reported.
Stubb, of the conservative National Coalition party, won 51.6 per cent of the vote, while Haavisto, of the Green Party, won 48.4 per cent.
Stubb called his victory the “greatest honour” of his life, saying the task is bigger than the man. He added that he was “endlessly happy and grateful that Finns voted in such large numbers” and that he had the opportunity to assume the presidency of the republic. Stubb said at a press conference:
I will do my best every day and put Finland’s interests first. I want to be the president of the entire nation.
The high-stakes presidential election is widely seen as historically most important against the backdrop of Finland’s recent accession to NATO.
The Finnish president usually plays a leading role in foreign and security policy, while maintaining close cooperation with the government, and serves as commander-in-chief of the Finnish defence forces. Stubb will represent Finland at NATO meetings.
Haavisto congratulated Stubb on his victory and said he does not think of politics in terms of victories and disappointments. He noted at a press conference after the vote:
The most important thing is that the elections were held in a good spirit and that Finland is not divide.
Apart from the occasional banter during debates, the candidates campaigned in a civilised manner, emphasising continuity and coherence of key policies.
Stubb went into the election as the favorite, having prevailed in the Jan. 28 first round and held onto his lead in the polls during the two weeks of campaigning.
The Swedish-speaking Finn communicates fluently in a number of languages and has published 16 books. He has held all the top ministerial posts in Finland, including the finance and foreign affairs portfolios. Most recently the director of the Florence School of Transnational Governance at European University Institute in Italy, Stubb has a PhD in international relations.
