Petteri Orpo

Alexander Stubb quit politics. Now he’s favorite for Finnish president – POLITICO

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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

Finland shuts Russia border again hours after reopening – POLITICO

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Finland’s government decided on Thursday to once again close the country’s entire eastern border with Russia — from Friday night until January 14 — due to another influx of asylum seekers mere hours after it had reopened two crossing points. Interior Minister Mari Rantanen told a press conference that “entry started faster than expected when the … Read more