1943 Finnish presidential election

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]

1943 Finnish presidential election

1943

Nominee Risto Ryti Väinö Kotilainen Party National Progressive National Coalition Electoral vote 269 4

President before election Kyösti Kallio Agrarian Elected President Risto Ryti National Progressive

Results

Candidate	Party	Votes	%
Risto Ryti	National Progressive Party	269	89.7
Väinö Kotilainen	National Coalition Party	4	1.3
Kaarlo Juho Ståhlberg	National Progressive Party	1	0.3
Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim	Independent	1	0.3
Arvo Manner	Agrarian League	1	0.3
Invalid/blank votes		24	8.0
Total		300	100
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