Watch on Soap2day. Urho Kekkonen assumed the office of President of the Republic of Finland on 1.3.1956. J. K. Paasikivi hands over the duties of President to Urho Kekkonen, who states that he will follow Paasikivi's policy and humbly accept the duties of President. On the same day, a general strike declared by the The Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK) also began.