New president: what comes next in Finland?
Finland has a new president: conservative politician Alexander Stubb of the National Coalition Party has won the run-off election against Green Party politician Pekka Haavisto. Commentators examine what this means for the country, with a focus on foreign and defence policy.
No acclimatisation phase
Being president will demand everything from Stubb from day one, says Ilta-Sanomat:
“Stubb is an excellent speaker, he is quick-witted and gifted with words. He is a master of concision. ... On the other hand, his astute summaries and repetition of the same foreign and security policy mantra night after night have left a somewhat vague impression of him. What skills and resilience does the president possess at a time when the security environment is constantly changing - and often in unexpected directions? Stubb's introductory phase as president will be short. ... In foreign policy, leadership must be assumed immediately and difficult decisions may lie ahead.”
Stubb could be a weak president
Expressen sheds light on changes in the distribution of power in Finnland:
“In the 1980s, the power of the Riksdag and the government grew steadily at the expense of the president - and most recently in 2012 when it was decided that the prime minister would represent Finland in the EU context. ... Alexander Stubb thus becomes a weak president - not because of his personal qualities but because this is what the Finnish parliament has decided. And he could become even weaker. ... For some time now there have been plans to change the constitution so that the government can also take the lead on Nato policy. ... According to surveys, the people do not share this desire. On the contrary: many want the president to have more power.”