1943 Finnish presidential election

1943 Finnish presidential election
← 1940 15 February 1943 1946 →
 
Candidate Risto Ryti Väinö Kotilainen
Party National Progressive Independent
Electoral vote 269 4
President before election

Risto Ryti
National Progressive

Elected President

Risto Ryti
National Progressive

Politics of Finland
State
Executive
Legislative
Judiciary
Recent elections
Political parties
Administrative divisions
Foreign relations

Indirect presidential elections were held in Finland in 1943. The 1937 electoral college was recalled and re-elected Risto Ryti, who received 269 of the 300 votes.[1] President Ryti was ready to remain in office and to try to lead Finland successfully through World War II. Nevertheless, some Finnish politicians believed that Marshal Mannerheim, the Commander-in-Chief of the Finnish army, would lead Finland more effectively. In a test vote, 147 presidential electors out of 300 supported Mannerheim. This plurality was not, however, enough for Mannerheim who required an assured majority of electors to back him for his presidential candidacy. Having failed to receive this majority's support, Mannerheim withdrew his candidacy and Ryti was overwhelmingly re-elected president.[2][3][4]

Results

CandidatePartyVotes%
Risto RytiNational Progressive Party26997.46
Väinö KotilainenIndependent41.45
Kaarlo Juho StåhlbergNational Progressive Party10.36
Carl Gustaf Emil MannerheimIndependent10.36
Arvo MannerAgrarian League10.36
Total276100.00
Valid votes27692.00
Invalid/blank votes248.00
Total votes300100.00
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

References

  1. ^ Dieter Nohlen & Philip Stöver (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, p628 ISBN 978-3-8329-5609-7
  2. ^ Seppo Zetterberg et al. (2003) A Small Giant of the Finnish History, WSOY, p723
  3. ^ Pentti Virrankoski (2009) A History of Finland / Suomen historia, volumes 1 & 2, Suomalaisen Kirjallisuuden Seura, p917
  4. ^ Martti Turtola & Risto Ryti (1994) A Life for the Fatherland, Otava, pp267–270