Alexander Stubb with his son Oliver. Alexander Stubb hoped his children’s privacy would be respected. Photo: Jussi Nukari / Lehtikuva
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The Council for Mass Media in Finland (JSN) has stated that the summer internship of President Alexander Stubb’s son at a state-funded foreign policy institute is not a private matter.
Oliver Stubb, a university student in the UK, was selected for a competitive internship at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs (FIIA), triggering scrutiny over the selection process.
JSN told STT that, due to the societal role of the president and the nature of the hosting institution, the topic holds public significance.
The council said it is not yet commenting on the conduct of media outlets covering the case, but confirmed no complaints have been filed so far. The period for submitting complaints remains open.
Stubb responded to questions about the controversy on Monday, urging the media to respect the privacy of his adult children. He made no further comment on the details of his son’s application or selection.
Media reports state that over 200 applicants competed for two internship positions at the institute. Critics have questioned how Oliver Stubb, in his first year at the University of Exeter, secured one of the posts over other candidates with more advanced academic backgrounds.
Multiple formal complaints have been submitted to the Parliamentary Ombudsman. These question whether the recruitment process adhered to fair and transparent standards. The complaints suggest that political influence may have affected the outcome.
The internship is classified as a higher education placement. The institute’s internship programmes are intended for university students who demonstrate relevant academic progress and interest in foreign policy. The recruitment process is internally handled by FIIA, an autonomous research organisation operating under the Finnish Parliament.
The institute has not released a public statement on the selection process or its criteria. Parliament’s Office, which oversees administrative matters related to FIIA, has also declined to comment.
JSN underlined that the issue involves public institutions and a high-profile individual. It said that while the privacy of family members of public figures should generally be respected, exceptions arise when the situation intersects with public re
Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
