Former Prime Minister Alexander Stubb is competing with former Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto.
Finns are heading to the polls to decide between two experienced politicians in the presidential run-off.
More than 4 million people will be eligible to vote on Sunday to elect a new head of state, whose main task will be to steer foreign and security policy, but in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This policy has taken on new importance since the Nordic country joined NATO.
The vote pits conservative former Prime Minister Alexander Stubb, 55, against former Green Alliance foreign minister Pekka Haavisto, 65.
Both sides largely agree on Finland’s foreign policy and security priorities. These include maintaining a hard line on Russia, which shares a 1,340km (832 mile) border, strengthening security ties with Washington and providing aid to Ukraine.
The run-off follows the first round of voting on January 28, in which no candidate received more than 50% of the votes needed to win.
Mr Stubb, of the National United Party, who led the government in 2014-2015 and previously held several other ministerial posts, won 27.2% in the first round, beating out eight other candidates. and won the top spot. He remains the favorite to win the second round.
Haavisto, who was runner-up in the first round, was Finland’s top diplomat from 2019 to 2023 and the main negotiator for the country’s NATO membership. Haavisto, a former United Nations conflict mediator and avid environmental activist, received 25.8% of the votes in the first round. If elected, he will become Finland’s first openly gay president.
The winner will succeed highly popular President Sauli Niinistö, whose second six-year term expires in March. Niinisto is not eligible for re-election.
external borders of the EU
Unlike most European countries, the Finnish president has executive powers, working with the government to formulate foreign and security policy. Its focus has been further strengthened with respect to countries outside the European Union, such as the United States, Russia, and China.
The head of state may also command the military, which is particularly important in the current security environment in Europe and the changing geopolitical situation in Finland.
The country joined NATO in April 2023, breaking decades of non-alignment and joining the Western defense alliance following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Finland’s entry into the alliance invited the threat of “countermeasures” from Russia.
Finland closed its border with Russia in December in response to a surge in migrants attempting to cross. Moscow has denied Finland’s claims that it was sending migrants.
The Finnish border also serves as the external border of the EU and represents the northeastern flank of NATO.