The decision on Finland’s future head of state will likely be made in a second election between former government leader Alexander Stubb and ex-Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto. In the first round of presidential elections in the Nordic EU and NATO country on Sunday, after the first votes were counted after polling stations closed, none of the nine candidates won an absolute majority.
The conservative Stubb received 28.3 percent of the votes at the time, the green ex-minister Haavisto 25.8 percent. The two strongest pursuers, parliament speaker Jussi Halla-aho and former EU currency commissioner Olli Rehn, lagged well behind with around 16 percent each. If this remains the case, a second election will take place on February 11 between Stubb and Haavisto. A provisional final result should be known on Sunday evening.
Successor of Sauli Niinistö
A successor is being sought for President Sauli Niinistö, who was not allowed to run again after two six-year terms. Under his leadership and impressed by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Finland decided to apply for NATO membership in 2022, after decades of military non-alignment.
In April 2023, the EU’s northernmost country became the 31st member of the defense alliance. For the Finns, whose country borders Russia for 1,340 kilometers, this marked an important turning point.
In Finland, the president is directly elected by the people for a six-year term. One of the most important tasks is deciding on foreign and security policy together with the government, appointing the government and approving laws.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
