New President vows to work for open, safe, Int´l Finland

The newly appointed President of Finland, Alexander Stubb on Friday vowed to work for an open, safe and international Finland.

Speaking at the parliament after he was sworn in as the 13th President of the country, he also assured to do his best for the homeland, every single day.

“I will now set off to promote the success of our nation with all my vigour and determination. I promise to work for an open, safe and international Finland. I promise to defend democracy, the freedom of speech and the rule of law in all situations,” Stubb said in his inaugural speech as the President.

The President also promised to fight to ensure that Finland will remain a good country in the future as well – the best country in the world for Finns.

Pointing out Finland´s NATO membership as the final step into the Western community of values, the President said that where Finland has belonged to in spirit throughout its independence.

“We will be facing things we are not used to. And uncertainty, which may sometimes even scare us. However, we must not react to every little noise. In foreign and security policy, it is always advisable to remain calm. But let us prepare ourselves also for the fact that sometimes we need to react rapidly to changing circumstances, as we did with NATO membership,” he said.

He also said that the post-cold war era is over. It ended with Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.

“The things that were supposed to bring us together – interdependence, trade, technology, energy, information, and currency – are now tearing us apart. The instruments of cooperation have been weaponised. At the same time, the cooperation within Europe has further intensified. And that is good,” the President added.

He also said that Finland’s foreign and security policy is founded on value-based realism. Its starting point is a strong alliance with the European Union and NATO. At the same time, it is based on the belief that the foundation of the new international system and peace lies in reforming and strengthening the UN.

“Even though the world seems to be in chaos right now, we should not despair. Fear is the worst possible guiding principle in foreign policy. Yes, we will come to see strategic competition. Yes, we will come to see local, even regional conflicts,” Stubb added.

But the need for cooperation will not go anywhere. It will only change its form. We all understand that without global cooperation we cannot mitigate climate change, solve conflicts, boost the economy, enhance wellbeing or manage immigration. These are all things that must be done together.

“…. We Finns are a peace-loving nation. Or the fact that the main duty of the President of the Republic under any circumstances is to ensure that we in Finland can live in peace. This, I promise to do. However, if push comes to shove, I am ready to make difficult decisions to ensure the security of our country,” he added.

Earlier, in the afternoon Stubb took over as the President at the inaugural ceremony when outgoing president Sauli Niinistö formally ended his 12 years tenure in two terms.

Ruling Kansallinen Kokoomus (National Coalition Party-NCP) candidate Alexander Stubb has been elected the 13th President of Finland on February 11.