Finland enters ‘a new era’ as a NATO member: President Alexander Stubb

Alexander Stubb becomes Finland's new president, joining NATO and emphasizing cooperation, competition, and conflicts in global politics.

Alexander Stubb was sworn on March 1 as Finland’s new president and said that the Nordic country "is facing a new era" after becoming a NATO member — something he will demonstrate by making his first foreign trip to inspect the military alliance's drill in neighboring Norway's Arctic region.

The 12-day NATO exercise is called Nordic Response and begins on Sunday. Mr. Stubb said that he will go for one day, on March 7.

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“If someone had told me two years ago that the president of Finland would make his first working visit to NATO exercises a week after his inauguration, I wouldn't have believed it,” Mr. Stubb told reporters at a news conference in the seaside Presidential Palace in Helsinki following inauguration ceremonies.

The 55-year-old former prime minister replaced President Sauli Niinistö, a highly popular leader who held the job for two six-year terms.

Mr. Stubb, a conservative, was elected head of state in a narrow February 11 runoff victory against independent candidate and former Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto of a left-leaning party.

Mr. Stubb has held several government posts, including foreign minister, and led the Finnish government in 2014-2015. He and Mr. Niinistö arrived together in high hats at the 200-seat Eduskunta legislature for transition ceremonies that included inspection of a military guard.