This is a list of heads of state of Finland. It covers the period from 1809, when Finland became an autonomous Grand Duchy under the Russian Empire, to the present-day Republic of Finland.
During the Russian imperial era, which lasted until the abdication of Nicholas II in 1917, the heads of state were the Russian emperors, who ruled Finland under the title of Grand Duke of Finland. Following the Russian Revolution and a brief transition period from 1918 to 1919—which included an unsuccessful attempt to establish a monarchy under a German prince and governance by two temporary regents—Finland adopted a republican constitution. Since 1919, the head of state has been the President of the Republic of Finland.
For the heads of state prior to 1809, when Finland was an integral part of the Kingdom of Sweden, see List of Swedish monarchs.
Russian Empire (1809–1917)
Interim period (1917–1919)
During the interregnum from the abdication of Nicholas II to the end of the Finnish Civil War in spring 1918, sovereignty in Finland was exercised by the Finnish Parliament and the Russian Provisional Government. After the October revolution, the Finnish Parliament declared itself the sole repository of supreme power on 15 November 1918. The declaration of independence was given a few days later. After the Civil War, a regent () was appointed by the parliament as a temporary head of state. Prince Frederick Charles of Hesse was elected as the King of Finland on 9 October 1918, but he never took office and renounced the throne on 14 December 1918.
Regents appointed by parliament 27 May 1918 – 12 December 1918 : Pehr Evind Svinhufvud 12 December 1918 – 26 July 1919 : Baron Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim
House of Hesse
| Fredrik Kaarle9 October 191814 December 1918() | | 1868PrussiaSon of Frederick William, Landgrave of Hesseand Princess Anna of Prussia | Princess Margaret of Prussia18936 children | 28 May 1940KasselAged 72 | King-elect of Finland
List of presidents (1919–present)
Timeline
See also Ancient kings of Finland Duke of Finland Governor-General of Finland List of monarchs of Denmark List of Greenlandic rulers List of monarchs of Norway Lists of heads of state of Iceland List of Russian monarchs List of Swedish governors-general List of monarchs of Sweden Monarchy of Finland President of Finland Prime Minister of Finland
References