Alexander Stubb (NCP) is known for smiling a lot, and after his inauguration as Finland’s 13th president in the Parliament Building on March 1, his smile seemed wider than it had been on the campaign trail. Photograph: TONY ÖHBERG/FINLAND TODAY
The inauguration of Alexander Stubb as Finland’s 13th President ushered in a new era and ended the 12-year reign of President Sauli Niinistö.
“According to a survey published last August, the people name you the best President of the Republic of Finland ever—and you have some pretty tough competition for this title in Finnish history,” said Jussi Halla-aho (Finns), the speaker of Parliament, in his speech to President Niinistö.
President Niinistö stood in front of Parliament and listened. Carefully. His eyes showed that he was moved by such beautiful words.
President Niinistö’s last speech had been philosophical.
He referred to the dazzling pace of technological development and pondered how it’s supposed to help us, but also how far things like artificial intelligence will go …. How far will it take us? To what extent will it replace humans?
But “unfortunately, the technology of destruction has also developed: drones and unmanned weapons, those insidious operators, are making their entrance,” Niinistö said.
Then, a sentence or two later:
“Nothing has changed.”
“I am referring to the essence of the human mind,” Niinistö said and continued, “our feelings and emotions. They have remained the same throughout the centuries … “
Serious glances were exchanged in the government box, where the ministers held the fort.
“I am referring to the essence of the human mind,” Niinistö said and continued, “our feelings and emotions. They have remained the same throughout the centuries: love/hate, jealousy/compassion, greed for power/submission, bellicosity/desire for peace have all been described in Hellenistic literature. Mankind has neither created a new inner attitude for man nor abandoned the old one.
A little later, after the solemn affirmation in the Finnish Constitution, the new President Alexander Stubb told Parliament: “Internationally, Finland punches above its weight. By our example and modus operandi we can contribute to what the new world order will look like.”
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Click to view our gallery from President Alexander Stubb’s inauguration day in the Parliament Building on March 1, 2024. Photographs: TONY ÖHBERG/FINLAND TODAY / Click to view the gallery.
