Finland’s central bank governor announces 2024 presidential bid

By Ahmet Gencturk

ATHENS (AA) – Finland’s central bank governor announced his bid for the 2024 presidential election, local media reported on Thursday.

As he was announcing his candidacy, Olli Rehn said: "I have thought about the matter and I am ready."

"I love this country. I want to defend the values of the republic and feel that I have the experience and vision to lead Finland's foreign and security policy,” he said, according to public broadcaster YLE.

Rehn also vowed to continue strongly supporting Ukraine if he wins the election.

“I will ensure that support to Ukraine will continue to be strong in all its different forms and that we will cooperate closely with the rest of the Western world, especially the US and member states of the EU so that the support continues for as long as necessary,” he said.

In order to run in the elections, Rehn will need to gather support from 20,000 eligible voters to form a constituency association, according to Finland's presidential election rules.

The first round of the 2024 presidential election is scheduled on Jan. 28, and a possible second round on Feb. 11.

Rehn, 61, has been serving as governor of the Bank of Finland since 2018.

He also served as the European commissioner for enlargement from 2004 to 2010, the European commissioner for economic and monetary affairs and the Euro from 2010 to 2014, and Finland's economy minister from 2015 to 2016.