Finland’s president signals readiness to recognize Palestinian state

Defence affairs

Finland’s President Alexander Stubb said Thursday he is prepared to approve the recognition of Palestine if the government submits an official proposal, Anadolu reports.

Under Finland’s Constitution, the president decides on the recognition of states based on the government’s proposal. Stubb told the Finnish news agency STT that the matter has reached a point where Finland must make a choice.

“We have been discussing this difficult question since the beginning of October 2023. Now I myself see that the situation has progressed to the point where Finland must make its choice,” he said.

“If the Government proposes recognizing the state of Palestine, with or without conditions, I am ready to accept it immediately,” he added.

Stubb expressed hope that Finland will recognize Palestine, noting that such a step would be more impactful if taken as part of a broader international movement, stressing that recognition should aim to support the peace process and the two-state solution.

While the Christian Democrats and the Finns Party oppose recognition, the final decision now depends on whether the government submits the proposal in the coming weeks.