"Finland’s president has a largely ceremonial role with fewer powers now than in past decades and is not directly involved in daily politics. However, the head of state takes the lead on non-EU matters of foreign policy, is seen as an important shaper of public opinion, and plays a role as a “brand ambassador’’ of Finland overseas.
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Then why is the Globe making a big deal out of it?
"The conservative favorite easily won the first round of Finland’s presidential election yesterday, setting up a runoff against an environmentalist leader who is the first openly gay candidate to run for head of state in the Nordic country....
Oh.
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Any other silliness?
"Finland impounds missiles found on ship" December 22, 2011
HELSINKI - Finnish authorities impounded 160 tons of explosives and 69 surface-to-air missiles found yesterday on a British-flagged cargo ship ultimately destined for Shanghai, officials said.
The M/S Thor Liberty sailed from the north German port of Emden Dec. 13 and two days later docked in Kotka, Finland, to pick up a cargo of anchor chains, Finnish customs spokesman Petri Lounatmaa said.
Investigating officers did not know the origin of the Patriot missiles or who was supposed to receive them, he said....
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"Germany says missile shipment legitimate" December 23, 2011
HELSINKI - A shipment of 69 surface-to-air missiles impounded by Finnish authorities was a legitimate delivery from Germany to South Korea, a German official said yesterday.
The announcement came after Finnish authorities seized the Patriot missiles and 160 tons of explosives on a British-registered cargo ship and detained two Ukrainian crew members on suspicion of violating weapons export laws.
Police said the missiles did not have the correct transit documents, and explosive picric acid was not properly stored on the M/S Thor Liberty, which docked in Kotka, in southern Finland, Dec. 15.
A spokesman for Germany’s Defense Ministry said the missiles were an official shipment that was fully declared and had all necessary clearances from German authorities.
“Those Patriot guided missiles are from the Bundeswehr’s stocks and have been shipped to South Korea’’ under an intergovernmental treaty, he said, declining to be named in line with government policy.
He said no explosives were part of the shipment.
The ship sailed from the north German port of Emden Dec. 13, en route to China, and docked in Kotka. Finnish officials there impounded the cargo Wednesday and launched an investigation.
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