Vote in the Finnish presidential elections!

[Solmyr]

Finland will have its presidential elections in about a month, and the candidate list has been finalized today. In Finland, the President is pretty much a figurehead concerned with image and some representation in foreign politics and diplomacy. Who would Languish choose?

[Grey Fox]

Is #4 Donald Tusk's cousin? 

[Admiral Yi]

Either Rodney Dangerfield or Warren Buffet.

[Sheilbh]

Second lady.

I assume the fifth guy has just been told that if he wins, his clubbing days are over

[Sheilbh]

Also - question. How is power split in Finland?

Niinisto seemed fairly important/influential in Finland's foreign policy direction since the Russian invasion, but I know Finland's one of the countries that, say, at EUCO meetings is represented by the PM/head of government (I think the only President/head of states are France, Cyprus and Lithuania). How is it divvied up or was it a little because of specific circumstances since the Russian invasion?

[Solmyr]

Also - question. How is power split in Finland?

Niinisto seemed fairly important/influential in Finland's foreign policy direction since the Russian invasion, but I know Finland's one of the countries that, say, at EUCO meetings is represented by the PM/head of government (I think the only President/head of states are France, Cyprus and Lithuania). How is it divvied up or was it a little because of specific circumstances since the Russian invasion?

Foreign relations is about the only thing where the President still has some kind of influence. Officially, they are managed together by the President and the Foreign Ministry. The ministry handles the general policy and the President acts as a representative (and yes, there has been some tension about whether the President or the PM should be doing that). Other than that, the President is considered a "values leader", giving grand speeches about the direction of the country and current situation.

It's changed quite a lot over the years, as the original system in Finland gave the President very wide powers (legacy of the monarchists who had to be convinced to support the republic). But now most of those powers have been taken away.

[Sheilbh]

Foreign relations is about the only thing where the President still has some kind of influence. Officially, they are managed together by the President and the Foreign Ministry. The ministry handles the general policy and the President acts as a representative (and yes, there has been some tension about whether the President or the PM should be doing that). Other than that, the President is considered a "values leader", giving grand speeches about the direction of the country and current situation.

It's changed quite a lot over the years, as the original system in Finland gave the President very wide powers (legacy of the monarchists who had to be convinced to support the republic). But now most of those powers have been taken away.

Interesting - thanks, sounds like a bit of a hybrid system.

Presumably the powers also reflect Kekkonen's unique skills and position

[crazy canuck]

Standards for Finnish politicians have diminished. 

[Richard Hakluyt]

The glory days are over 

[Barrister]

Dude with the Ukraine/Finland lapel pin.

[Zanza]

My interest in Finnish politics reduced a lot when the the hot PM left.

[HVC]

Dude with the Ukraine/Finland lapel pin.

You fell for the Russian plant

[PRC]

I voted for Rodney Dangerfield.

[Solmyr]

Languishites voting for women. Some things never change.

[grumbler]

Languishites voting for women. Some things never change.

In a sea of eminently punchable faces, the librarian stands out as the best choice.