How will Finland's new president shape its relationship with NATO?
The country's new head of state has said there needs to be a 'more European NATO'
![Photo composite of Finnish president Alexander Stubb, NATO compass roses and Finnish flag colours](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/EsxpeuhKe2HfHeaVheHAcV-415-80.jpg)
A major Nordic power will soon have a new leader, as Alexander Stubb narrowly defeated his opponent in a runoff race to be elected Finland's next president. Most of the executive power in Finland lies with the prime minister, but the presidency, unlike in most European nations, is not purely ceremonial; the president is in charge of foreign policy, national security affairs and military defense. This makes Stubb's election all the more consequential for a major reason: Finland's relationship with NATO.
Finland is the newest nation to join the North Atlantic Alliance, having acceded into the group less than a year ago following a concerted effort from current Finnish President Sauli Niinistö. However, its membership is a crucial one for the European Union and all Western allies given Finland's proximity and shared border with Russia, whose war against Ukraine has nearly reached the two-year mark.
While Stubb, who formerly served as Finland's prime minister, is a member of the center-right coalition and his opponent, Pekka Haavisto, ran as an independent, they largely agreed on foreign policy. This was particularly true when it came to handling Russia and expanding Finland's global influence through NATO. Once Stubb takes office, how will his presidency affect Finland's partnership with the world's key military alliance?
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-320-80.jpg)
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
What did the commentators say?
Stubb's campaign was "built on promises to make the most of his country's new membership of NATO and back Ukraine in its war with shared neighbor Russia," Anne Kauranen said for Reuters. Before the runoff election, Stubb told the outlet it was "very important that we in Europe take care of our own defense," and said he agreed with Niinistö that the world needs a "more European NATO."
If not for the situation in Russia, the presidential election would have "gained little notice beyond the borders of the northern European country," Erika Solomon and Johanna Lemola said for The New York Times. However, Finland shares the single-longest land border with Russia — 830 miles — and how Finland deals with Russian aggression has "taken on special interest to its European and American allies as the geopolitical order shifts," Solomon and Lemola said. When Finland joined NATO in April 2023, it represented a "sharp break from its decades of nonalignment, and the risks and responsibilities of the country's new place in the world" have been brought to the forefront.
As the head of state, Stubb will also command Finland's military, and many Finnish news outlets have "pointed out how Europe's security is at stake as never before since World War II, due to Russia's invasion," Jari Tanner said for The Associated Press. With tensions rising, Stubb has made it clear that his priorities include "maintaining a hardline toward Moscow and Russia’s current leadership, strengthening security ties with Washington, and the need to help Ukraine both militarily and at a civilian level," Tanner said.
As Stubb takes office, he will "become a president of difficult times, possibly even a wartime president," Finnish newspaper Ilta-Sanomat said in an op-ed, per the AP. And while Stubb has tried to promote peace through NATO, he is seen as slightly "more hawkish" than Haavisto toward Russia, Charlie Duxbury said for Politico. Notably, Haavisto "opposed the presence of nuclear weapons on Finnish territory while Stubb said it might be necessary under certain circumstances," Duxbury said, and also "appeared more open than Haavisto to allowing a Finnish military presence on the country’s strategically important Baltic Sea archipelago of Åland."
What next?
Stubb will be inaugurated as president on March 1. Some noted that Russia will likely try and ramp up its aggression under the new Finnish administration in an attempt to hold Stubb's feet to the fire right away. "The authorities should be aware that there is a good chance that Russia is going to try and test Finland in some way," Charly Salonius-Pasternak, a researcher at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs, said to the Swedish newspaper Expressen.
One person who seemed happy with the electoral results was Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who congratulated Stubb on his victory. "Ukraine and Finland, in solidarity with other partners, are strengthening the security of entire Europe and each nation on our continent," Zelenskyy said on X. "I look forward to advancing our relations and our shared vision of a free, united, and well-defended Europe."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Justin Klawans has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022. He began his career covering local news before joining Newsweek as a breaking news reporter, where he wrote about politics, national and global affairs, business, crime, sports, film, television and other Hollywood news. Justin has also freelanced for outlets including Collider and United Press International.
-
Red Speedo: a 'darkly comic' doping drama
The Week Recommends Lucas Hnath's play stars Finn Cole as a 'reptilian' swimmer determined to win at all costs
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
One Aldwych: where London's creative spirit takes centre stage
The Week Recommends This five-star Covent Garden hotel is the epitome of elegant independence
By Julia O'Driscoll, The Week UK Published
-
Charlotte Dujardin and equestrianism's dark side
In the Spotlight Olympic gold medallist and dressage star's suspension over horse whipping brings abuse in horse sports back into the spotlight
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Can Kamala Harris beat Trump?
Today's Big Question Some senior Democrats are unsure the vice-president can win in November even as party closes ranks behind her
By The Week UK Published
-
King's Speech: is Keir Starmer being too cautious?
Today's Big Question The Labour Party set out its plans for its first year in government
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
Is Trump's attempted assassination a reckoning for the Secret Service?
Today's Big Question The incident is widely being described as a massive failure by the agency
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
How could J.D. Vance impact the special relationship?
Today's Big Question Trump's hawkish pick for VP said UK is the first 'truly Islamist country' with a nuclear weapon
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'The studio has run out of marquee heroes'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Is Amy Coney Barrett the Supreme Court's new swing justice?
Today's Big Question Still conservative, but independent
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Ukraine's F-16 fighter jets to fly 'this summer'
Speed Read Warplanes sent by the U.S. and other NATO allies will help combat Russian forces
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
What happens if Joe Biden steps down?
Today's Big Question If the president decides not to run against Donald Trump, here's what Democrats have to do next
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published