Alexander Stubb confidently announced his victory in Finland's presidential election on Sunday. Throughout his campaign, he emphasized the importance of leveraging Finland's NATO membership and supporting Ukraine in its conflict with neighboring Russia.
In his new role, the former prime minister and investment banker will be responsible for overseeing foreign and security policy, representing Finland in NATO meetings, and serving as the Commander-in-Chief of the military.
The 55-year-old emphasized the significance of Europe taking responsibility for its own defense in an interview with Reuters ahead of the vote. He expressed agreement with his predecessor Sauli Niinisto's view that a more European NATO is necessary.
After spending several years working abroad as a vice president of the European Investment Bank and director at the European University Institute in Florence, Stubb is now making a comeback to domestic politics with his new job.
Those who know him well say he is fluent in multiple languages, strongly supports European integration, and holds fiscally conservative views. He characterizes his political views as moderate.
According to his statement to Reuters, he expressed a preference for aligning with the United States, Britain, and Nordic neighbors in shaping foreign policy, suggesting that he would embody a Western approach as president. Finland's support for Ukraine would have no limits, according to him.
In April of last year, the Nordic nation made the decision to join the Western military alliance, marking a significant shift from its longstanding policy of non-alignment. This decision was prompted by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Throughout his election campaign, Stubb emphasized the importance of Finland's active participation in NATO and the potential benefits of having NATO troops stationed on its territory.
In addition, he has expressed his willingness to allow the transportation of nuclear weapons through the country, although he has made it clear that storage of such weapons would not be permitted. "Sometimes, a nuclear weapon can be seen as a means to ensure peace," he stated during a debate.
According to Johanna Vuorelma, a political scientist at the University of Helsinki, many Finns view Stubb as a representative of the cosmopolitan Helsinki elite. "Stubb has garnered support from prominent figures in the business world," Vuorelma stated.
However, during his campaign, he made efforts to change that perception by speaking positively about Finland's social-democratic welfare model, according to her. According to Markku Jokisipila, the head of Finland's Center for Parliamentary Studies, there were some doubts about his level of expertise and interest in domestic politics, but it was evident since the 1990s that foreign policy was one of his strong suits.
Who Is Alexander Stubb?
Stubb has an impressive political career, having served as a Member of the European Parliament from 2004 to 2008. He then returned home and went on to hold various ministerial positions, including foreign affairs, European affairs and trade, finance, and ultimately becoming prime minister from 2014 to 2015. In 2016, he was removed from his position as chair of the National Coalition Party, despite still being a representative for the party.
Stubb, an avid amateur athlete and accomplished triathlon champion, has expressed his intention to reduce his involvement in sports once he assumes the role of Finland's 13th president. He is in a committed relationship with Suzanne Innes-Stubb, a lawyer from Britain. They have raised two children together.
The president of Finland wields significant authority over the military and plays a crucial role in shaping foreign and security policy, particularly in relation to countries beyond the European Union like the United States, Russia, and China.
The new head of state will have to navigate the shifting geopolitical landscape in Europe. Although their powers are limited compared to the prime minister, they play a crucial role in leading the country's foreign policy alongside the government and serving as the supreme commander of Finland's armed forces.
Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the relationship between Moscow and Helsinki took a turn for the worse. As a result, Finland made the decision to abandon its longstanding policy of military non-alignment and officially joined NATO in April 2023. In August 2023, an increased number of migrants were observed entering Finland through its eastern border without visas.
