Presidency of the Republic of FinlandGovernment

The Presidency of the Republic of Finland is the state institution representing the head of state of Finland. In close cooperation with the Government, the President directs Finnish foreign and security policy, acts as the Commander-in-Chief of the Finnish Defence Forces, and formally appoints the Prime Minister and cabinet ministers. Established under the Constitution Act of 1919 following the nation's independence, Kaarlo Juho Ståhlberg was elected as its first president.