Finland mourns former president Mauno Koivisto, 93

Mauno Koivisto, Finland’s last president during the Cold War who led the Nordic nation out of the shadow of its huge eastern neighbour, the Soviet Union, and into the European Union, has died aged 93. Mr Koivisto died in a Helsinki hospital. His wife, Tellervo Koivisto, said earlier this year he suffered severely from Alzheimer’s disease and could no longer be cared for at home.

Mr Koivisto served two six-year terms between 1982 and 1994, enjoying great popularity among ordinary Finns. His down-to-earth manner and dry humour won him the heart of the nation but also brought political opponents.

For most Finns, his presidency marked the end of the long reign of predecessor Urho Kekkonen, who had ruled Finland with an iron grip for 25 years until his resignation in 1981.

Mr Koivisto was seen as ushering in a new, freer era, changing the face of the country by reducing the powers of the head of state and strengthening the role of parliament.

He was recognised for his foreign policy skills, maintaining the country’s good relations with the West, particularly with the United States, and the Soviet Union at the height of the Cold War years.

His second term in 1988-1994 was crucial in cementing the Nordic nation’s neutral status until the 1989 fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, a great concern for Finland that shares an 800-mile border with Russia.

Mr Koivisto is survived by his wife, whom he married in 1952, and their daughter, Assi.

Mr Koivisto ushered in a new, freer era for Finland.