Rafael Erich

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Rafael Erich

Rafael Waldemar Erich (born June 10, 1879 in Turku , † February 19, 1946 in Helsinki ) was a Finnish legal scholar, diplomat, politician and prime minister.

Studies and academic career

Erich graduated in law and was in 1910 appointed professor of heads of state , international law and international law at the University of Helsinki appointed. In 1932 he was awarded an honorary doctorate in law from Uppsala University .

Political career

Negotiator during the Finnish Civil War

In February 1918 he was by the then Chief Minister Pehr Svinhufvud Evind together with the professor and rector of the University of Helsinki Edvard Hjelt after Germany sent to from there help in the fight against Bolshevik uprisings during the Finnish Civil War to solicit. A short time later, German troops arrived in Finland and, together with the “ White Troops ” under the command of General Mannerheim, defeated the “Red Guards”. Later he also negotiated the peace and friendship treaty between Finland and Germany with his university colleague Hjelt, the certificates of which were exchanged on June 25, 1918.

MP and Prime Minister

Erich began his political career in 1919 when he was elected member of the Finnish Parliament . There he represented the interests of the conservative National Collection Party (KOK) until 1924 .

From March 15, 1920 to April 9, 1921, he succeeded Juho Vennola as Prime Minister of a coalition government made up of KOK, Landbund (ML), Swedish People's Party (SFP) and the National Progressive Party (KEP). During his reign, the Dorpat Peace Treaty between Finland and the Soviet Union was concluded on October 15, 1921 , in which the Soviet Union recognized Finland's independence within the borders of the Grand Duchy of Finland .

Diplomat and judge at the League of Nations

In 1926 he became the first envoy in Switzerland . However, he only held this office for one year. From November 1928 to 1936 he was envoy to Sweden . In this office he was succeeded by the former Prime Minister and later President Juho Kusti Paasikivi .

From January 15, 1931 to October 1936 he was first deputy judge and later from September 26, 1938 to January 1946, judge at the Permanent International Court of Justice of the League of Nations . However, the last session of the court took place on February 26, 1940. In addition, he was previously a delegate to the meetings of the League of Nations for many years (1921 to 1933).

Publications

Biographical sources and background information

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Erich, Rafael
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Erich, Rafael Waldemar (full name)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Finnish lawyer, diplomat and politician, member of the Reichstag
DATE OF BIRTH June 10, 1879
PLACE OF BIRTH Turku
DATE OF DEATH February 19, 1946
Place of death Helsinki