Finland’s conservative former prime minister Alexander Stubb won Sunday’s presidential election.
Mr Stubb secured 51.6% of the vote, compared to 48.4% for his Green Party rival and former foreign minister Pekka Haavisto.
This is the first election since Finland joined the NATO military alliance.
The 55-year-old member of the Finnish National Union party took a tough stance against Russia, with which the Nordic country shares a long land border.
He said joining NATO was a “done deal” for his country shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Finland officially became the 31st member of the Washington-led alliance in April last year.
At a news conference late Sunday, Stubb called his election victory “the greatest honor of my life.”
He also emphasized, “It is rather self-evident that as long as Russia is waging a war of aggression against Ukraine, any kind of political dialogue with President Putin will be difficult.”
“Therefore, it is inconceivable that there will be any communication with President Putin or Russia’s political leaders in the near future. We all want to find a way to peace, but at the moment that path is I think it can only happen through the battlefield.”
Harvist, who ran as an independent candidate, admitted defeat.
“Well then, Alexander. Congratulations on becoming the 13th president of Finland.
“If you were to ask me today whether I would participate in elections again, my answer would probably be ‘no’. Not for a while, and probably never again,” he said.
Haavisto has run for president twice and lost. He said he would now focus on his job as a lawmaker.
Mr. Stubb will officially take up his post on March 1, succeeding Mr. Sauli Niinistö.
Chioma Cal