Johan Wilhelm Rangell

Who was Johan Wilhelm Rangell?

Johan Wilhelm Rangell was the Prime Minister of Finland from 1941 to 1943. Educated as a lawyer, he was a close acquaintance of President Risto Ryti before the war, and made his initial career as a banker in the Bank of Finland. He played a role in the efforts at a 1940 Summer Olympics in Helsinki after the International Olympic Committee retracted the original choice of Tokyo. After the resignation of President Kyösti Kallio during the Interim Peace, Risto Ryti was elected by the Parliament as the new president of Finland on December 19, 1940, and Rangell rose to the position of Prime Minister. In office, Rangell's expertise and influence dealt mainly with economic issues, while more important foreign policy power rested on Commander-in-Chief Mannerheim, President Ryti and Foreign Minister Witting. Due to his connections to the IOC following the Berlin Olympics, Rangell's political orientation was seen as Pro-German.

Rangell's cabinet's belligerent actions in the Continuation War enjoyed the support of the Parliament. He defended the occupation of East Karelia and the regaining of the areas ceded in the Peace of Moscow.