“I put my family first,” Orpo said during a press conference. “This work is demanding. It is also challenging for my family and loved ones. The fact that we got to be together was worth it. I would make that decision again.” Orpo sent Finnish President Alexander Stubb to the July summit and he was … Read more
“But for some reason our societies are built in a way [that stops women from attaining leadership roles],” she added. Marin, a star of the European center-left, served as prime minister of Finland from 2019 to 2023, presiding over a female-majority Cabinet. Her popularity suffered at home over the country’s rising debt. She narrowly lost … Read more
In the Netherlands, Geert Wilders’ anti-immigration far-right Freedom Party won the 2023 election on a campaign that tied affordable housing to restrictions on immigration — a focus that struck a chord with young voters. In Portugal, too, the far-right party Chega, which means “enough” in Portuguese, drew on young people’s frustration with the housing crisis, … Read more
After attending school in Finland and later the U.S., Belgium and the U.K., Stubb entered politics in 2004 as a member of the European Parliament. He hit the Finnish big time in 2008 when — to his own surprise — he was named foreign minister. Praised by allies for his high-energy approach to politics, he was … Read more
Both second-round candidates are familiar figures in Brussels and capitals beyond. Stubb was an MEP before he became foreign minister and then premier, while Haavisto played a key role, alongside Niinistö, in preparing the way for Finland to join NATO last year. Analysts said the days leading up to the second round will be intense … Read more
HELSINKI — After seven years in the political wilderness, Alexander Stubb is closing in on a remarkable comeback and new top job: president of Finland. Ahead of a first round of voting this Sunday, Stubb has a 3-percentage-point lead in opinion polls over his nearest rival, Pekka Haavisto of the leftist Green League, who is in turn 6 points ahead of seven other candidates. In a likely runoff, surveys give Stubb of the … Read more
