Finland's new head of state will be responsible for its security and foreign policy, what can we expect from him?

Alexander Stubb, former prime minister and candidate of the center-right National Coalition Party, has become the new president of Finland. In the second round of the election, Stubb received 51.6% of the vote, ahead of former Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto, a representative of the liberal Green Union party, who received 48.4% of the vote. Mr. Stubb will take office on March 1, replacing Sauli Niinistö, who served two terms and was not eligible for re-election.

During his or her six-year term, the president will act as the country's chief diplomat and commander-in-chief of its armed forces, working in cooperation with the government to manage foreign relations. In domestic policy, the president's powers are limited.

According to the newly elected president, it can be concluded that he will most likely continue the foreign policy of his predecessor. In particular, Stubb said that he wants to see his country become a member of NATO in the future.

Stubb was the favorite in this election, winning the first round of elections on January 28 and holding the lead in the polls for two weeks of the campaign.

An expert in several languages, Stubb has published 16 books and held senior positions in the Finnish government, including the ministries of finance and foreign affairs. He most recently served as director of the Florence School of Transnational Governance at the European University Institute in Italy and holds a doctorate in international relations.

Stubb, known for his athletic achievements, has participated in numerous marathons and triathlons, including the famous Ironman World Championships. In his youth, he played hockey and golf, which led him to study at Furman University in South Carolina.

During his tenure as prime minister, tubb faced criticism for allegedly favoring sports over political duties.

Stubb's election program was based on three main positions - openness, security and internationality. Stubb delegated the main role in his future policy to defense issues.

In his campaign, Stubb portrayed himself as a leader focused on societal development and welfare. Stubb said that his presidency would be based on the principles of liberal democracy, market economy and globalization. 

The newly elected president said he sees Finland as an open society where the importance of freedom of speech, a vibrant civil society and the rule of law are recognized as key factors of unity.

In foreign policy, the president emphasizes security, viewing it as a guarantee of sovereignty. Safeguards such as strong alliance defense, EU and NATO membership, and the DCA agreement with the United States are defined as the basis of security policy.

The President also noted two pillars on which Finland's foreign policy is based: idealism and realism. Its idealism is manifested in the support of cooperation and interaction as a means of preventing conflicts, while realism is manifested in the presence of strong military reserves and technically equipped defense.

Despite the successes, the president expresses concern about the divisions in society and the growing problems of mental health and loneliness among young people, emphasizing the importance of investing in culture, education and sports.

In the field of international relations, the President is actively working to expand cooperation with the countries of the West, while maintaining strategic relations with allies in the EU and NATO. He is also considering opportunities to cooperate with countries of the South, acting as a mediator in resolving conflicts and maintaining peace and stability in different regions of the world. Stubb emphasizes the need for deep international cooperation to address global challenges such as climate change, technological transformation and demographic change.