Paasikivi and Kekkonen - a strong position of Finnish presidents under the influence of the USSR

Diploma thesis "Paasikivi and Kekkonen - a strong position of Finnish presidents under the influence of the USSR" examines the assumptions of the prestigious position of these presidents in Finnish politics. The underlying issue is the influence of the Soviet Union on the Paasikivi's and Kekkonen's policies. The theoretical premise of the thesis is the inclusion of Finnish among so-called semi-presidential systems. The Finnish Constitution of 1919 provided the President with considerable powers, for example making him a major figure for the foreign policy of the state. However, the arrival of Paasikivi and after him Kekkonen to the presidential office led to the strengthening of the presidential office. The personality of these politicians and their political vision, experience and practices had also a significant impact on this fact. Paasikivi and Kekkonen's policies were, however, very much connected with the friendship with the Soviets, so it is possible to monitor the Soviet influence on the position of Finnish presidents within the Finnish political system