The president-elect is in favor of maintaining a hard line against Russia and continuing to provide “strong support” to Ukraine in the form of financial aid, weapons and “a path” to membership in the European Union and NATO, even if this means increasing tensions with Moscow.
The Finns have decided to bet on continuity in next Sunday’s presidential elections and have opted for the conservative candidate, Alexander Stubbthe new head of state, replacing the equally conservative Sauli Niinistö, the man who brought Finland to NATO.
With his victory, Stubb, the closest in presidential history, will become the 55th second politician from the conservative Kokoomus party to become president of the republic since 1956, after decades of social democratic hegemony.
At the end of the count, Stubb obtained the 51.6% of the votescompared to 48.4% of environmentalist Pekka Haavisto, a difference much smaller than what previous polls predicted, but enough to take over the leadership of the state.
“It is the greatest honor of my life. There is no greater task than to be President of the Republic,” Stubb told the press, visibly moved when he heard the results.
Haavisto, 65, has barely managed to contain his disappointment after losing a third consecutive presidential election, all against conservative candidates, in what was likely his last attempt.
However, he has shown the same chivalry as during the election campaign and after shaking Stubb’s hand and congratulating him, he stated that Finland will have a very competent president, thanks to his rival’s extensive international experience.
Supporting you
Analysts believe that the majority is in favor of extreme right-wing voters Stubb in the second round, after the True Finns candidate Jussi Halla-aho came third in the first vote, was crucial to his victory.
Stubb has also won the support of many of those who voted for fourth place in the first round, former European Commissioner and Bank of Finland head Olli Rehn of the Center Party.
Moreover, the president-elect has benefited from the low involvement -67.6%, almost 4 points less than in the first round, as it gained the support of conservative voters and the elderly, the two groups least likely to abstain.
Although Stubb at no point tried to take advantage of this, his rival’s homosexuality could also work to his advantage, as one in three voters admitted in the closing stages of the campaign that they would not vote for an openly gay candidate.
Hard line against Russia
The president-elect is in favor of maintaining a hard line against Russia and continuing to provide “strong support” to Ukraine in the form of financial aid, weapons and “a path” to membership in the European Union and NATO, even if this means increasing tensions with Moscow.
Source: EITB
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
