On February 15, 1956, Urho Kekkonen was elected as Finland's president after a fiercely competitive election against Karl-August Fagerholm, winning by a narrow margin of just two votes (151-149). Kekkonen's victory was marked by significant controversy and public skepticism, particularly due to his perceived pro-Soviet stance, which evoked strong sentiments among the Finnish populace who feared Soviet influence. Despite this hatred, he gained crucial backing from Moscow, which deemed him suitable to lead Finland during a time of geopolitical tension.

The election day was dramatic, filled with political maneuvering and unexpected developments. Notably, former President Juho Kusti Paasikivi briefly entered the race as a surprise candidate, but he ultimately lost in the electoral college voting. The event drew about 300 citizens to the Parliament House in Helsinki, where representatives effectively determined Finland's political direction for the subsequent twenty-five years. Kekkonen's tenure would eventually redefine Finnish politics and its relationship with the Soviet Union, yet it began under a cloud of doubt and public animosity.

While Kekkonen remains a polarizing figure, known for his complicated relationship with the Soviet Union and the Finnish people, he went on to be the longest-serving president in Finnish history. His early opposition to communism in his youth also contributed to the complexity of his political identity. This 1956 electoral episode is remembered as a significant moment in Finnish history, illustrating the interplay of domestic politics and foreign relations during the Cold War era, and the lasting impact it had on national leadership and identity.