Blatter congratulates Finland's new president

FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter has written a letter to Sauli Niinisto, the former head of the Finnish Football Association who was recently elected President of Finland by a wide margin.   “I was delighted to hear of your brilliant election as the 12th President of Finland,” Blatter said in the letter. “The wide margin of victory demonstrates that you have the trust of the Finnish people to take your country forward, just as you have done under your presidency of the Football Association of Finland.” Niinisto served as a member of the Finnish Parliament in 1987. From 1994 to 2001, he was the chairman of the National Coalition Party of Finland. He served as Minister of Justice in the following two years, and from 1996 to 2003, he was the Minister of Finance. From 2007 to 2011, he also served as the Speaker of the Finnish Parliament. “I wish you all the best as you embark on this new chapter in your political career,” Blatter added. “Considering your successful record – not only in politics but also in football of course – and the number of challenges you have already overcome in your career and personal life, I have every confidence that you will make a great success of it.”