Alexander Stubb, former Prime Minister of Finland wins election as the new President of Finland
Former Finnish Prime Minister Alexander Stubb has won the presidential election in the Nordic country that recently joined NATO, defeating former Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto.
In the vote count conducted on February 11, Stubb, of the center-right National Coalition party, received 51.6% of the votes, while Haavisto received 51.6% of the votes. Who ran in the elections as an independent candidate received 48.4% of the votes
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Born on April 1, 1968, Staub is now 55 years old and 56 years old. He began his political career as a Member of the European Parliament in 2004.
Then in 2008 he became Minister of Foreign Affairs, in 2011 he became Minister of European Affairs and Trade, and in 2014-2015 he became Prime Minister of Finland. Then he was Minister of Finance. It can be said that he has extensive political experience.
Haavisto (65 years old) admitted defeat. They shook hands with Stubb and congratulated him at Helsinki City Hall.
“This is a great, fair race,” Staub told Haavisto. “I’m proud to be able to run with you in this election.” Thanks for the good competition.”
He is expected to officially assume his duties on March 1.
This presidential election represents a new era for Finland. Throughout the decades, presidents have often been chosen to promote diplomacy. Especially with neighboring Russia. It chose not to join the military alliance to ease tensions between Russia and NATO.
But most Finns changed their minds. After Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and encouraged Finland to join NATO.
At this time, under the shadow of the Western alliance, the new president will replace Sauli Niinistö, who will step down after two terms totaling six years.
Stubb will play a key role in shaping Finland's NATO policy. At the same time, it is a leader in comprehensive foreign and security policy.
Both Satap and Haavisto take strong pro-European and pro-Ukrainian positions. And stand strong against Russia
In an interview with a news agency last month, Staub said. There will be no Russian pillar in Finnish foreign policy for the time being. “In politics, it will not have any relationship with the Russian president or Russian political leaders. Until they end the war in Ukraine.”
Stubb supports deepening NATO cooperation, such as permanently stationing some NATO military forces in Finland. It allows the transfer of nuclear weapons across the country, but does not support the storage of nuclear weapons in Finland.
“Sometimes nuclear weapons are a guarantee of peace,” Staub said.
On the other hand, Haavisto sees things differently on this point. He wants to ban the use of Finnish nuclear weapons on its territory. He believes that the permanent deployment of NATO forces is not necessary in the current security situation.
Compiled from Al Jazeera
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