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Presidentin vaalin aikana Runnin kylpylässä
The constitution of Finland decreed that the President of the Republic is elected by 300 presidential electors, chosen by the people in a general and universal election. The first president would, however, be elected by the parliament.

In spring 1919 the principal candidates for presidency were K.J. Ståhlberg, president of the Supreme Court, backed by Republicans (Progressive Party, Agrarian Party and Social Democrats), and General Mannerheim, backed by monarchists, Coalition Party and the Swedish National Party.

The so-called Civil Guard circles backed Mannerheim. A delegation of a few Jägers even went as far as to try and persuade Ståhlberg to withdraw from candidacy. In the presidential election on 25 July, 1919, Ståhlberg got 143 votes, Mannerheim 50 votes, L.K. Relander one vote and Väinö Tanner one vote.

Those who had voted for Ståhlberg regarded his election as a victory of Finnish nationalism and as a guarantee of peace. It was a bitter disappointment for the supporters of Mannerheim, and Ståhlberg found it difficult to find a suitable ADC among the officers.

Russian Civil War | Honorary Doctor | Presidential Election 1919

Etusivulle

COURSE OF LIFE | FAMILY | TIME OF GROWTH | MILITARY CAREER | WAR OF INDEPENDENCE | REGENT 1918-1919 | CIVILIAN | DEFENCE COUNCIL | COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF 1939-1946 | PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC 1944-1946 | RETIREMENT | SPECIAL TOPICS | SEARCH