Oliver and Emilie Stubb. Six complaints filed with Parliamentary Ombudsman over President Stubb’s son’s internship selection. Photo: Emmi Korhonen / Lehtikuva
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Internal documents and email correspondence suggest that the Finnish Institute of International Affairs (FIIA) may have granted preferential treatment to Oliver Stubb, son of Finnish President Alexander Stubb, in a competitive internship selection process.
FIIA, a publicly funded research body linked to the Finnish Parliament, selected Oliver Stubb, a first-year undergraduate at the University of Exeter in the UK, for a summer internship in a programme focused on Finnish foreign and security policy and NATO. He was one of five shortlisted candidates out of 59 applicants.
According to information obtained through a freedom of information request and reviewed by Yle, all other interns selected at the institute over the past five years had more advanced academic qualifications. Stubb was one of only two undergraduates selected during that period, and the other had completed significantly more coursework.
In his application, Stubb listed only military service and student organisation activities as relevant experience. Other applicants had prior employment, including in embassies, the logistics sector, or as interpreters.
Despite his limited background, FIIA’s head of HR, Marie-Louise Hindsberg, encouraged Stubb to apply, even as other applicants were told that their applications could not proceed without a confirmed funding plan. FIIA requires internship applicants to secure external funding, typically from Finnish universities or the EU Erasmus+ programme.
The institute has previously declined applicants studying in the UK or US due to incompatibility with Finnish funding schemes. Internal emails indicate that Stubb contacted the institute’s director Hiski Haukkala just two days before this policy was changed.
According to the documents, Stubb wrote to Haukkala on 8 February, stating his interest in contributing to the institute’s work with his “skills and enthusiasm.” The funding policy was altered on 10 February. FIIA later acknowledged that the change occurred after Stubb’s contact, although it initially gave incorrect dates.
When Stubb’s funding arrangement was later confirmed, it provided less financial coverage than Finnish universities typically offer. As a result, the state bears more of the cost for his internship than for other candidates.
Meanwhile, internal messages reviewed by Yle show that while Stubb was told to submit his application despite not yet having funding, another applicant was told their submission would be disqualified without it.
In June, FIIA’s board received a verbal explanation of the hiring process from Haukkala, but no written record exists. Following the update, the board stated that procedures around internships must be “clear and consistent.”
FIIA’s decision has drawn significant scrutiny. Eleven complaints have been submitted to the Parliamentary Ombudsman and two to the Chancellor of Justice. The complaints allege possible administrative misconduct and favouritism.
FIIA has defended its choice, citing Stubb’s motivation and topic knowledge. However, critics point to a lack of transparency and inconsistency in applying the institute’s own rules.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
