who was the first president of finland
The first president of Finland was Kaarlo Juho Ståhlberg. He was born on January 28, 1865 in Suomussalmi and died on September 22, 1952 in Helsinki. Ståhlberg served as the President of the Republic of Finland in 1919–1925. He was a significant figure in terms of Finland’s independence and state development.
Background and career
Kaarlo Juho Ståhlberg was trained as a lawyer and he held several important positions before becoming president. Among other things, he was a professor of administrative law at the University of Helsinki and a member of the legal department of the Finnish Senate. Ståhlberg was also an active politician and at first belonged to the Young Finns and later to the National Progressive Party.
Presidential term
Ståhlberg was elected the first president of Finland on July 25, 1919. During his presidency, Finland was a young and independent state that had just survived the civil war. Many key institutions and legislation were created during Ståhlberg’s period, which established Finland’s status as an independent state.
Key achievements
- Strengthening of the Constitution: During Ståhlberg’s term, the Constitution of Finland was strengthened, which laid the foundation for the country’s democratic administrative system.
- Development of administration: He promoted the development of administration and the judiciary, which helped to stabilize the country’s internal situation.
- Foreign and domestic policy: Ståhlberg sought to maintain good relations with neighboring countries and promote national unity.
Life after the presidency
After his presidency, Ståhlberg continued to actively participate in social life. Among other things, he served as the president of the Supreme Administrative Court and took part in several governmental tasks. Ståhlberg’s legacy lives on in Finnish political culture and he is remembered as one of the country’s most prominent statesmen.
