The Finnish presidential elections, NATO and the war in Ukraine - Geopolitics with Alex

In this episode, STG Director Alexander Stubb discusses the upcoming presidential elections in Finland. Stubb, who is one of the candidates in the election, looks at the role of the Finnish president and the meaning of the elections in light of the country's recent NATO membership and the war in Ukraine.
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[@MRiitta]

Congratulations to the new President of Finland, Mr Alexander Stubb!

[@dk6024]

US here, being astounded at a candidate describing opponents as very qualified.

[@joqqeman]

To be fair the stakes are a lot lower 😂

[@mistasomen]

Swiss here. Standard procedure for me. The US has some cleaning-up-its-act to do IMHO

[@dk6024]

@@mistasomen we've normalized hypocrisy and delusion! Fair and balanced!

[@sampohonkala4195]

Stubb is being a bit too nice. In reality, some of the candidates have absolutely nothing to offer. For example, Halla-aho is a convicted racist and should have nothing to do with politics - totally unsuitable to run for a top office.

[@mattivirtanen4043]

​@@joqqemanyeah we know. Finnish President doesn't have much power.

[@generalmarko5968]

Mr. Stubb, I do hope you get elected as the next President of Finland! Greetings from Bulgaria!🇫🇮🇧🇬🇪🇺

[@georgeanthony6767]

Welcome back, President Stubb!

[@raulikarkulahti9669]

Thank you Mr Stubb. I’ll be voting for you. As a Finnish Australian I have improved my Finnish language skill through this election process. It will be good if you succeed. Your excellent English language competence will be appreciated by people in other countries.

[@kallekas8551]

Hi! This is Kalle,a fellow Finnish Australian. I voted for Stubb as well. Enjoy your day…🇫🇮❤️🇦🇺🕺

[@tankt3489]

It's the President speaking. Congrats from Ukraine!

[@saloneju]

Congratulations Mr. President & welcome back to Finland!

[@jocosus3]

Best wishes! If I were a Finnish citizen, I'd definitely vote for you, Dr. Stubb.

[@carp77]

That guy have newer do about good things our land.

[@GeigerFarm]

Good luck. I have very much enjoyed your dialogues. Finland is blessed to have such capable citizens willing to compete for office 👍🏻.

[@carp77]

Fakest.

[@fouadrizkallah7394]

Hello from Lebanon. You are giving us a huge amount of knowledge with so much clarity, on world affairs. God bless you, and i hope you will become president Stubb.

[@thusspokezarathustra]

Best of luck. Finland would be in very capable hands should you succeed. As always, very interesting insights. As a South African, I can only admire Finlands relative stability and how well managed its economic and political affairs are under great conditions of turmoil geopolitically.

[@saloneju]

Turns out Alex was elected yesterday as the next president of Finland. :) It was the tightest election ever here in Finland, 51,6 % for Stubb and 48,4 % for the opponent Haavisto.

[@thusspokezarathustra]

@@saloneju fantastic news and huge congratulations to President Stubb! Finland is in good hands with a brilliant mind at the helm!

[@ulrikschackmeyer848]

Nice to see you back again, Alex. Even if it only becomes for a short while. I know very little about the other candidates in the election. And of course, Thanks God and the common voting rights, it is up to the Finns to elect their own president. However I would like to say three things: Through you calm, Finnish lectures I have learned a lot about international matters. And felt a lot less hysterical about the whole thing. Thank you for that. I find it old-fashioned admirable that you are ready to go back when your country needs you. That always demands and deserves solid respect.And you have mine, for what ever it is worth. Thirdly, I'm quite convinced that you would make an excellent 'helmsman' (no Mao pun intended, more like Nordic 'styrismader') for Finland through possibly rough waters ahead. I am absolutely convinced they could do a lot worse than you, should they feel that you fit with the interior politics of the day. The best of luck from a historically minded Copenhagener, who's father spend his WW2 holidays in the Danish country side together with Finnish refugee children. He taught me great respect for the Finns and their struggles. Kind regards and God's speed

[@micheleiormetti4519]

Happy for your new endeavor, whish you luck and to the Finns people to get you as president, the right man for these times.

[@caprifolia1]

I am voting for Alex Stubb. He is going to be our president! Greetings from Finland

[@NIL0S]

I like both your positions on foreign politics and domestic. You're also very literate. You would have my vote if you end up running.

[@sampohonkala4195]

Stubb is oficially the candidate of the National Coalition Party and very likely will be the other of the two going to second round.

[@janbergendahl]

You have my vote Alexander.. Regards from Ahvenanmaa.. :-)

[@borovik8714]

Best from Poland to Finnish friends ;-).

[@LonMendelsohn-hv2jr]

Alexander, I am enjoying your wonderful series. My view of the geopolitical landscape from the US pretty much mirrors your Nordic perspective. Best wishes to Finland in navigating the upcoming challenges and to you in your campaign!

[@frithjofspeetjens2818]

I watched a lot of your videos. Very interesting and very learning! To be honest, I'm not well informed about Finnish politics; I don't know the other candidates. Having said that, I think that specifically your knowledge of international politics and the way you currently view the world makes you an exceptionally good candidate! And yes, Finland is an extremely interesting country, it has the largest border with Russia in Europe. I'm going to follow these elections. Good luck!

[@sertre123]

I'm pretty sure Ukraine has the longest border with Russia in Europe, but Finland has the longest border with Russia of any country in the European union

[@frithjofspeetjens2818]

@@sertre123 You're right, I wasn't completely correct. I meant Finland as a NATO country.

[@Bureaucrastinator]

RIP Martti Ahtisaari.

[@leoflores2874]

This will be my first Finish presidential election for me to follow way over here in Texas. Best wishes on your new journey. I’ll be watching. Please add as many updates to your channel as practicable 👍🏻

[@walshaland]

Best of luck.

[@bofink5377]

Bravo Alex, You have my vote.

[@karrisilantera9810]

Alex, sä olet vaan niin paras ❤ Saat aina ääneni!

[@HumanityKilledArt]

Hello there, glad to see you back.

[@celticmist42]

Perhaps a shocking Video for any US or UK viewers, but as someone who has met you during my time in Finland and followed you since, I am so not surprised of your commentary, of your respect of your opponents and of your perspective of world order. Indeed the importance of Finland as a small but strategically located country for the future of Europe and NATO cannot be understated. But even beyond that, how Europe and NATO comes out of this, will effect mindset and behaviour on a global level including China as a key player and Climate Change as the key topic. All best wishes in your bid for the Finnish Presidency Alex and thank you for your ongoing insights!

[@udaymukherji4527]

Good luck, I think you are a source of good in the world Mr Stubb

[@miikapaananen1363]

Great lecture. Clear and wise and informative and to the point. The No Nonsens Finnish Approach. Alexander Stubb is a great man, wise, emphatic, clear in his communication, a true gentleman. Our next president.

[@lisaschumph7000]

I would like to visit Finland and also continue to understand geopolitics through your keen insights - Onnea!

[@ramesh4717]

Good luck to you too, Alex

[@ricalina4371]

All the very best! 🍀🍀🍀

[@bradbel]

Team Stubbs!

[@zita-lein]

Sending you my best from California! 🇺🇸 🇫🇮

[@pro-libertatibus]

Thank you for providing us with balanced, pragmatic edification AND for demonstrating that politicians can be rational and idealistic. Unfortunately, you're correct that, in my analysis of dynamics, some electorates select for divisive, venal politicians.

[@SvenKelemen]

Congrats Alex 👍

[@andriytarnovetskyy4992]

Thank you very much Alex! You always bring a sober pragmatic view on the world and politics. I love watching your videos! Good luck on your endeavors.

[@bernardchung0311]

Congrats Prof Stubb

[@timopalas7402]

Very nice and clear presentation. Congrats

[@puhistagram]

Thanks for nice episode Alex. And thank you for running. Best of luck to you!

[@matthewjolivet2737]

Congratulations and thank you for choosing to lead a proud and geopolitically important country and post!

[@cakevoncake3306]

Missed this series, welcome back!

[@sampohonkala4195]

The second round candidates will very likely be Stubb and Haavisto; I would be very surprised to see anyone else there. And a rather tight second round that will be - however these two are the most qualified for the post and neither would be a catastrophe. Sauli Niinistö has done a good job for the last 12 years, with only a few minor well meaning mistakes on the road. But the fact is, the president has it a lot easier than the PM, even in the current geopolitical situation.

[@KenVet]

I find these vids very informative, Best wishes for the future.

[@mahderparviainen8552]

Thank you for the clear and precise explanations ! Good luck

[@miikapaananen1363]

Alexander Stubb is civilized and capable man with good understanding of foreign policy and security policy. The president of Finland is leading Finnish foreign policy and security policy. Finland is on focus today as a neighbor with Russia and a new NATO member.

[@stevebenn7082]

Thankyou Alex & good luck going forward.

[@santamills8638]

I'm from South Africa, I remember the name Martti Ahtisaari.

[@Arunamatata495]

All the very best Alex! Rooting for you..I think you'll be an excellent president & will be a leader that can navigate & influence not only Finland but other EU countries to a more all rounded direction .

[@MRiitta]

Always enjoy listening your speaches. There's a red line you follow when speaking and it is easier to understand what you want to emphasize and, consequently, to make my own understanding of your thoughts. I shall vote for you;)

[@garruksson]

I'm def voting for you 😌

[@richardcochran3304]

Great job Alex, we so admire and hope for the export of reasonable common sense and practical cohesive action and cooperation for the betterment of humanity! Thank you so much for your mentorship!

[@thilomanten8701]

This will go on for a long time to come!

[@suem5082]

Good luck Alex … I’ll be following with interest from Australia.

[@mikkoraassina]

..Niinistö, and Stubb

[@rictechow231]

Alexander quite seriously I wish you the best in the elections and I will follow intently.

[@P_Izenberg]

It would be really interesting to see in more detail what Finland can export to the rest of the world. For example, Finnish perspectives and policies for how to prevent homelessness.

[@jimbopeebles8210]

They’re obviously doing a lot of things right.

[@ianhedley9992]

Hi Alex, never have I enjoyed a series more, consisting of a number of episodes, on the face of it which should have been a boring subject.... Geopolitics. You would have my vote!/

[@rogerbeck3018]

like many from other parts (Australia in my case) I have enjoyed and learned from your YT contributions. I hope your candidature is successful. It will not be an easy job for anyone.

[@tomfortner3023]

You've got my vote Alex.

[@BogdanStroe]

Good luck from Romania!

[@joejarvis2497]

I want to live in a country where the politics aren’t toxic. Save me!

[@Beliefish]

I hoped you would win EPP nomination Now I hope you will win presidency Good wishes from Slovenija

[@blompojken]

Finnish/Swedish citizen here, and I'd be very satisfied to see you as the 14th president of Finland. But Im more glad than anything, to feel more safe than ever that our lands around Kemijärvi, rests safe more safe than ever.

[@pentti3715]

*13th

[@natalia6381]

What about running for the President of the European Commission? There are no chance for the upcoming term?

[@ALLmattersALLmatters]

🎉Congratulations

[@Billy01113]

Good luck, I for one hope you make it, we need more top polititians who are steeped in international politics, political theory, who understand the necessity of international cooperation based on democratic and liberal rules and values.

[@T1hitsTheHighestNote]

The best of luck in the election, Mr Stubb! Please export Finland to Sweden, we badly need you! :)

[@iam.damian]

Hello, I am a citizen of 2 NATO+EU countries 🇸🇰🇨🇿 and a resident of 3rd one 🇩🇰. So I have a good overview of parliamentary republics with directly elected president, as well as constitutional monarchy :) In a week Slovakia 🇸🇰 has parliamentary election, and in early 2024 a presidential election. Let's hope we don't become a 2nd Putin's pawn after Hungary.

[@TheSteinbitt]

Svinhuvud is an awesome name lol

[@henriikkak2091]

Svinhufvud. Yes, 🐷 head

[@miikapaananen1363]

Svinhufvud was a great president. His ancestors become noble in Sweden as servants of the King of then combined Sweden and Finland.

[@aaron2709]

If I was Finnish, I'd vote for you.

[@matsouthwell1429]

Thanks for the window onto Finnish politics. I’ve enjoyed the reflections on the changing world system. I hope Finland is able to sustain a healthy political culture and avoid the descent into Donald Trump or Boris Johnson style of toxic populism.

[@ottarkvindesland3778]

Interesting views. An intriguing sequel: Immigration politics in the Nordic countries - overlapping cultures but widely different policies. What is the rationale and what is the outcome. Does the immigration policies impact the host country's foreign policy? I would love to learn about this from a Finnish academic and perhaps coming president!

[@vigilante8374]

Forgive my ignorance but has there been any talk of the *formal* role and powers of the presidency changing post-Feb 24th? (Obviously, informally it has increased in significance quite a bit.) I ask only because I was under the impression that a couple decades ago the Finnish president had many more powers, similar to the French president.

[@erikgrafenschnell1036]

🤞👍

[@jaymacpherson8167]

I’d vote for you Alex. Tho I’m not Finnish.

[@martinwest2538]

At 10:16 Stubb is talking about the "three locks" keeping Finland safe. This may be the case, but the problem is there are no hinges on the door, as Finland inevitably will be reliving those 1940-45 experiences, if and when NATO goes to war with Russia. For those unfamiliar with what I'm referring at, back then there was a great force pulling Finland to a most unfortunate war. History tends to repeat itself, I'm afraid.

[@jwhan2086]

Wa, wa,wai, wait, then where should I find and listen to the voice of reason from Finland?? You are abandoning me!!! (T_T) But anyhow, congratulations for having an opportunity to serve your home country. Looking forward to seeing you visiting Seoul, the capital of my home county, as the new President of Finland Republic.

[@azmodanpc]

I must admit, I haven't seen many former PMs and now Presidents sharing their insights on YT in such a fashion. I can think of Australia's former PM (Rudd), he's an expert on China and a scholar. Here in Italy, we have Matteo Renzi that goes to Saudi Arabia and other countries "selling" his expertise. Apart from his political savvy (limited to Italian politics) I am not sure what he brings to the table, so to speak. He's paid handsomely to speak in halting English (Alex is more fluent in Italian, I can suppose) about leadership or other fancy buzzwords.

[@VincentAutos]

what's the matter of NATO with saudi arabia? overreach?

[@chriskozma3507]

When do you perceive Sweden's N.A.T.O. accession?

[@merjakotisaari9046]

It depends on Turkey, I hope it happens soon, it is be very important for us, Turkey is like a bazaar seller, always blackmailing with something.

[@MsSilvy1]

I would like you as prime minister in Italy.

[@peterabild1123]

I hope you win

[@TheTruthSeeker756]

I like the current President

[@puhistagram]

Everyone does

[@paulpain7337]

I know you will make a fine President and an excellent contributor to NATO.

[@catmonarchist8920]

He's actually gonna do it 😂

[@Azdroc96]

Do what?

[@catmonarchist8920]

@@Azdroc96 win the presidency of Finland this weekend

[@jimbopeebles8210]

Sitting here in the US being jealous of the choices the Fins have in their politicians 😅

[@QSCMStudyAssist]

what kind of relationship do you have with russia and belarus

[@evo2girl]

Like he said "good relationship with NATO allies, specifically the United States". That means he, or whoever else, is not planning on building any kind of relationship with Russia or Russia's ally, Belarus. They took their rightful historic place, opposite Russia. Perhaps they think that with the US on their side now they can win against Russia 😂😂.

[@miikapaananen1363]

Russia has been our neighbor past thousand years.

[@QSCMStudyAssist]

@@miikapaananen1363 is it not within your best interest to have friendly and cooperative relationship with your neighbors in that case VS being friendly with countries extremely far away geographically to your own country

[@QSCMStudyAssist]

@@evo2girl @miikapaananen1363 is it not within your best interest to have friendly and cooperative relationship with your neighbors in that case VS being friendly with countries extremely far away geographically to your own country

[@darialexn]

@@QSCMStudyAssist sarcasm? 😅

[@robgrey6183]

"Bring people together, not to divide..." said every single politician I've heard in my life.

[@merjakotisaari9046]

There are only 2 good candidates here, and they are you Stub and Hauta-Aho, if Mikko Hautala were a candidate, he would be a very good third option, I bet the next president will be you (at least if it depends on me).

[@tturbine3940]

Ukraine should have so wise leadership.

[@dobrilapetkovic4603]

😂😂😊😂😂

[@jarmosalonen2068]

Alex, I'm thinking of voting for Li in the first round as a support for Nordic equality and welfare. I might vote you in second round as you as future president won't be have much say in our inner politics.

[@murrayeldred3563]

Articulate. Clear. Comprehensive. 😮

[@buckbenelli8]

I wish Alex had dual citizenship with the US.

[@fronabulax63]

something big happens for sure, the thucydides trap clicks

[@gerryhouska2859]

This presidential race should result in a close Finnish.

[@eskokauppila1327]

What are you thinking? "Why didn't i negotiate avoiding soldiers sacryfying in 24.2.2022"[(alexander stubb's thoughts)]

[@Azdroc96]

Nato is great, Russia sucks.

[@Kartoffelsuppe_m_Wursteinlage]

Finish presidential are exciting! Zzzzzzzzzzzhh

[@brucemcmanaman5364]

Now within NATO, Finland's foreign policy and border security have been more or less set for foreseeable future. Given country has birth rate of 1.32 - are you going to support Finns having children, (try) fill the gap with immigrants, let population decline, or hope rate will go up naturally?

[@freeforester1717]

It is correct to say that Finland is the focus of geopolitical interest in the world right now. For as long as Finland is a member of NATO however, it will make next to no difference who is the president, as it will be the US who will decide what happens in the country as far as geopolitics is concerned. When the US MIC says jump, you’d best be ready. The Ukraine war has very little to do with democratic niceties, and a lot more about who controls the energy and mineral reserves across 11 time-zone wide Russia in the post-Putin era, and USA will happily fight to the last Finn, Swede and Pole if need be to gain ‘the prize’, and to keep Germany and the rest of the EU under check at the same time. Read ‘A Century of War’ by F William Engdahl to review and refresh one’s mind as to how this strategy has been borne out for over one hundred years now. Nordstream 2 was just another ‘Baghdad to Berlin railway’ moment along this timeline.

[@frithjofspeetjens2818]

Interesting comment. I think you underestimate the direction Europe is going at this moment. Europe is getting more independent from the US. It will take perhaps one generation, but I see a Europe getting (military) stronger and certainly more independent from foreign and economic policies. Europe (the Western alliance) has a quite unique system of "freedom", to my opinion certainly worth protecting that!

[@Notme012]

Europe will always have some form of trans Atlantic ties. Country’s like Poland, Albania, UK, Baltics, and so on. Plus honestly speaking Europe has never been so calm without great power wars for 80 years who do you think keeps it that way. You can’t take centuries of wars, disputes, and squabbles then form an EU welp we’re united now it doesn’t work like that. If we took all our money and military out of Europe you’d be so much weaker. Why do you think Sweden and Finland want nato membership.

[@freeforester1717]

@@Notme012 you actually think they want it?

[@freeforester1717]

@@frithjofspeetjens2818 I see deindustrialisation and containment/impoverishment of the EU by sabotaging the energy supply of the economic motor (Germany): is that really the act of a friend? Maybe ask the volk, they’re the ones paying for US donut empire building (- ever expanding, just like the waistlines, yet hollowed out at its heart)

[@Notme012]

@freeforester1717 well they don’t spend on their own military’s even after years of us Americans repeatedly asking them too help us burden the cost. They want to get dependent on Russian gas to the point Germany wouldn’t support Ukraine before the war broke out. France wants strategic autonomy but everyone else in Europe really wants the US there. If you don’t think that the US has been a godsend to Europe over the last 80 years you’re blind. We have to pay billions so they can have free medical care. Then they want to get made at the inflation reduction act, when all we’re doing is taking care of ourselves.

[@collintrytsman3353]

you made a number of mistakes whilst in office regarding Russia..........................I hope you have learnt from them and can use that experience if elected, good luck