List of Presidents of Finland: Past and Present

Last updated November 2026

This page lists the presidents and heads of state of Finland from 1919 to the present, with the years each leader was in office and a short summary of their time in power. Use it to find the current president of Finland, former leaders, and key dates in the country's political history.

Current president of Finland: Alexander Stubb (in office since 2024).

Presidents of Finland in order, with years in office

Kaarlo Juho Ståhlberg

Served: 1919–1925

First president of Finland.

Lauri Kristian Relander

Served: 1925–1931

Agrarian League president who served one term.

Pehr Evind Svinhufvud

Served: 1931–1937

National Coalition president who served one term.

Kyösti Kallio

Served: 1937–1940

Resigned in late 1940 because of poor health.

Risto Ryti

Served: 1940–1944

Took office in December 1940 and resigned in August 1944 after an agreement with Nazi Germany.

Carl Gustaf Mannerheim

Served: 1944–1946

Marshal who was president from August 1944 until he resigned in March 1946.

Juho Kusti Paasikivi

Served: 1946–1956

President who shaped Finland's post-war relations with the Soviet Union.

Urho Kekkonen

Served: 1956–1982

Longest-serving president; stepped down in January 1982.

Mauno Koivisto

Served: 1982–1994

Social Democrat who served two terms.

Martti Ahtisaari

Served: 1994–2000

Served one term and later won the Nobel Peace Prize for his mediation work.

Tarja Halonen

Served: 2000–2012

Finland's first woman president, who served two terms.

Sauli Niinistö

Served: 2012–2024

National Coalition president who served two terms.

Alexander Stubb

Served: 2024–present

Took office on 1 March 2024.

Frequently asked questions about the presidents of Finland

Who is the current president of Finland?

The current president of Finland is Alexander Stubb, in office since 2024.

Who were the previous presidents of Finland?

The presidents and heads of state of Finland listed on this page, in order, are: Kaarlo Juho Ståhlberg, Lauri Kristian Relander, Pehr Evind Svinhufvud, Kyösti Kallio, Risto Ryti, Carl Gustaf Mannerheim, Juho Kusti Paasikivi, Urho Kekkonen, Mauno Koivisto, Martti Ahtisaari, Tarja Halonen, Sauli Niinistö, Alexander Stubb.

Who was the first president of Finland?

Kaarlo Juho Ståhlberg was the first president of Finland, in office 1919–1925.

Sources: Archontology.org, Finland: Heads of State (1919–2024); Wikipedia, List of presidents of Finland; WorldAtlas (checked Nov 2026). Finland has had 13 presidents since 1919.. Last reviewed November 2026.

Presidents of other Europe countries