Foreign policy expert Mika Aaltola shot to public prominence in the aftermath of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, frequently appearing in the media to discuss geopolitics as well as Finland's accession to Nato.
His frequent media appearances helped him to carve out a role as a go-to geopolitical observer, making him a household name and, eventually, a surprise presidential candidate.
Despite having no political experience, the 54-year-old Aaltola is standing on the strength of his reputation as a foreign policy specialist, having run the Finnish Institute of International Affairs (FIIA) since 2019. He is one of three candidates running in the presidential election without party affiliation, following similar decisions by Pekka Haavisto and Olli Rehn.
Aaltola's campaign stresses the importance of the presidential office, but gives little clear indication of his platform.
"It's a job that rises above politics in favour of national unity," he says on a campaign website that also calls for a "genuinely impartial candidate from outside established political circles."
While he has not wanted to pin himself on the left–right political spectrum, Aaltola acknowledges being more of a conservative than a liberal, describing himself as a "pragmatic realist."
In his announcement speech, he called for Finland to invest more in defence. He has dubbed his campaign Rohkea Suomi (translated as Brave Finland) suggesting that action is needed for the country to remain "free, strong and stable." This rhetoric follows on from FIIA's research about the mounting geopolitical threats posed by Russia.
While his book based on journal entries published last year aimed to make sense of a confusing world, he did not in late 2021 foresee Finland joining Nato. His entries also suggest he believed Russia's invasion of Ukraine would inevitably lead to Kyiv's fall.
This is part of a series of profiles on candidates in the presidential election. Our really simple guide provides some essential information about the race to become Finland's next president.
Christian conservatism
Described as a Christian conservative patriot by Yle, Aaltola grew up in the Pentecostal tradition. He has drawn criticism for headlining an event by SLEY, a revivalist Lutheran group opposed to women clergy, homosexuality and abortion.
But in Finland's bible belt, such a background plays well. A poll by agricultural newspaper Maaseudun tulevaisuus found that half of Christian Democrat voters could see themselves casting a presidential vote for Aaltola.
While secular Lutheranism is still inextricably linked to contemporary Finnish national identity, it is rare for politicians in Finland to discuss their religious beliefs. While openly professing belief in God, he has claimed not to be a fundamentalist who would turn to the Bible for political guidance.
When pressed on the topic, Aaltola has struggled to find a form of words to express his views.
On the subject of abortion, Aaltola in September told Yle that he "accepts current rules on abortion" and that a woman's right to her own body is an absolute freedom in Finland, but fell short of saying whether he agrees.
Same-sex marriages meanwhile are a matter for the church to define, according to Aaltola.
In 2019 he married Kirsi Aaltola, a director of a state-owned company that trains government employees. The couple had a baby in early 2022.
When asked about his views on immigration, Aaltola told Yle that immigration should not be approached through identity politics or morality, but rather as a practical matter. He has suggested that Finland study Sweden's immigration-related issues and draw its own conclusions. On a concrete note he has, however, proposed expanding national defence courses to various immigrant groups to help them gain a better grasp of Finnish history.
George Bush Sr and Thucydides
On the topic of development aid, Aalto said there was room to cut spending in favour of strategically targeted aid. This would mean Finland considering its own and its allies' interests in terms of recipients.
Aaltola, who has taken on several professorship stints in the United States, earned an undergraduate degree in psychology from Columbia University in New York. In the early 1990s he volunteered on George Bush Senior's failed reelection campaign.
In interviews, he has an affinity for citing the ancient Greeks, particularly Thucydides, a historian of the 30-year Peloponnesian War, who lived almost 2,500 years ago.
Aaltola says the ancient historian was able to perceive things outside of his own time. In his foreword to the classical text, Thucydides said his writing was not for his contemporaries who would fail to understand it, but for future generations. Thucydides is also the father of political "realism," which views the relations between states as guided by power balances, rather than by ideology.
Aaltola may wish to imply that he too envisions himself as a forward-thinking outsider beyond traditional party lines, but the ballot box will show how well this messaging resonates with Finnish voters.
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