Radio | News week in plain Finnish | Sunday 27 October 2024

President’s spouse Suzanne Innes-Stubb

In the news week, this time we talk about the role of the president’s spouse.

Our guest is Mrs. Suzanne Innes-Stubb.

She tells how life has changed since her husband Alexander Stubb became the president of Finland in March.

Big life change

Mrs. Innes-Stubb how has life changed since your spouse became president?

- Everything has changed. We have a new home, I have two new roles, both as the president’s spouse, but also at Aalto University.

- We have new responsibilities, but also very interesting opportunities, like my trip to Ukraine and the UN General Assembly as well. It’s a new exciting phase in life.

You have now been in the role of the president’s spouse for half a year. How have Finns received you?

- I am really grateful and happy for the warm welcome I have received from the Finns. Thanks for that.

The role of the spouse

Mrs. Innes-Stubb was born in England. He has a legal education.

Before the presidential election, he worked at the elevator company Kone. After the elections, he transferred to Aalto University.

The job is part-time because Innes-Stubb also needs time for the duties of the president’s spouse.

How do you see your own role as the president’s spouse?

- I hope I can use my skills for the good of Finland and take Finland’s message forward both at home and in the world.

Before, the spouse of the president was called the mother of the country. What thoughts does this evoke in you?

- Earth’s mother sounds a bit old in my opinion. I think the president’s spouse is a little more neutral, and I like that better.

You also have your own work and career. How is there enough time for everything? Is there enough time for everything?

- Yeah, I’m trying to find my own rhythm, I’m quite busy, but luckily the work at Aalto University is flexible and part-time, and that means I have time to work on my job as the president’s spouse as well.

Wide range of languages

Suzanne Innes-Stubb’s mother tongue is English. In addition, he speaks German, French, Swedish and Finnish. He still studies Finnish once a week.

- And now I continue the Finnish lessons and try to speak Finnish as much as possible.

How did you come to have such a wide language palette?

- I was always interested in languages. And that is the key to the way of thinking and the culture and the soul.

The topic of the news week this time was the role of the president’s spouse. Mrs. Suzanne Innes-Stubb shared her thoughts.

See you next week.