Keskusta names Rehn as its candidate for Presidential poll

The second largest opposition party in parliament Suomen Keskusta (Centre Party of Finland) on Saturday expressed its support to former lawmaker and Bank of Finland Governor Olli Rehn as the party candidate for the upcoming presidential election scheduled to be held in January next year.

The Keskusta announced the name of Rehn from the party council in Turku.

“I am grateful for the support I received from the Keskusta today (Saturday),” Rehn wrote in his twitter, adding the Keskusta is important to him from various aspects from his young age for its movements in cultural and humanity grounds.

“I am now starting the campaign as a candidate of the voters' association and the Keskusta with the target to become the President of all Finns,” he added.

Earlier in spring Rehn announced to contest the polls as a candidate of an unaffiliated voter association.

He also gained the necessary 20,000 signatures recently to contest the election as a candidate of voter association.

Earlier, veteran politician of Vihreä Liitto (Green Party) Pekka Haavisto, former Prime Minister Alexander Stubb (Kansallinen Kokoomus-National Coalition Party), Perussuomalaiset (Finns Party) leader Jussi Halla-aho, SuomenKristillisdemokraatit (Christian Democrats of Finland-CD) Chairperson Sari Essayah, Liike Nyt (Movement Now) lawmaker Harry Harkimo, former Keskusta Chair Paavo Väyrynen and Saara Huhtasaari of Freedom Alliance announced their candidatures for the 2024 presidential poll.