Stubb to take over as President on March 1

The inauguration of the President of Finland will take place in Helsinki on March 1, said the President Office in a press release on Thursday.

President Sauli Niinistö and president-elect Alexander Stubb will leave the Presidential Palace together and attend Parliament's plenary session.

On their arrival at the Parliament Building, Niinistö will inspect the Guard of Honour.

Incumbent President Niinistö will address Parliament at the plenary session, and Jussi Halla-aho, Speaker of Parliament, will respond.

Stubb will then make the solemn affirmation laid down in section 56 of the Constitution of Finland.

Following this, Speaker of Parliament will convey Parliament's greetings to the new President, who will in turn address Parliament.

After the plenary session, the Presidents will exit the Parliament Building, and President Stubb will inspect the Guard of Honour.

The Presidents will then return to the Presidential Palace, where they and their spouses will greet the people from the Palace balcony.

At the Presidential Palace, the Diplomatic Corps, the Government, representatives of the highest state bodies and the most senior public officials will take leave of President Sauli Niinistö, before greeting President Stubb.

The address of the Diplomatic Corps will be delivered by its Dean, Ambassador of Croatia Josip Buljević, and Prime Minister Petteri Orpo will make a speech on behalf of the Government.

People can watch the Presidents inspecting the Guard of Honour from Mannerheimintie in front of the Parliament Building at 11.50 and around 13.00.

Spectators can also watch from the Market Square as the presidential couples greet the public from the Presidential Palace balcony at around 13.10.

A Book of Congratulations for the inaugurated President will be open for the people to sign at the Main Guard Post from 12.30 to 17.00 on March 1 and at the Presidential Palace from 10.00 to 16.00 on March 2.

The inauguration of the President will be broadcast live on national broadcaster Yle TV1, Yle Fem and Yle Areena.