furman university graduate alex stubbe was elected president of Finland He will assume office from March 1st.
Stubb will be the first Furman graduate to serve as head of state, according to a Feb. 12 university news release.
Stubbe, who ran as a member of Finland’s mainstream center-right National Union party, won 51.6% of the vote in the run-off, compared to his opponent Pekka Haavisto, who won 48.4%. Haavisto is Finland’s foreign minister and a member of Finland’s centre-left Green Party.
During Mr. Stubb’s six-year term as president, he will oversee foreign and security policy and represent the nation. North Atlantic Treaty Organization He serves as the supreme commander of the Finnish army.
“Alex Stubbe is a tremendous leader,” said Furman University President Elizabeth Davis. “He is a charming and very inquisitive person with a strong moral compass to always do what is best for his fellow man. I am very happy for him and very proud of him. He will be a great president for his home country of Finland.”
Furman alumnus Alex Stubbe ’93 H’17 has been elected president of Finland. Mr. Stubb is the first Furman University graduate to serve as head of state. Congratulations! https://t.co/YWsY2EJhnhn
— Furman University (@FurmanU) February 12, 2024
Mr. Stubb has served Finland in various positions, including Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Minister of Finance. He was also a member of the European Parliament and vice president of the European Investment Bank.
Stubbe studied at the Sorbonne in Paris and graduated from the European University in Bruges and the London School of Economics.