National Coalition Party (NCP) presidential candidate Alexander Stubbe reacts at an election reception in Helsinki, Finland, Sunday, February 11, 2024 (Emi Korhonen/Retikva, Associated Press)
HELSINKI — In the run-off of Finland’s presidential election on Sunday, former Prime Minister Alexander Stubbe chose between two experienced politicians for the post of head of state, whose main job is to steer the Nordic nation’s foreign affairs and security. After a close battle, he won against former Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto. Now that we have become a member of NATO following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, this policy has not changed.
With more than 99% of the votes counted, Mr. Stubb, the center-right candidate from the conservative National Union Party, received 51.6% of the vote, while Mr. Haavisto, an independent candidate from the green left, received 48.4%.
Mr Stubb, 55, who served as prime minister from 2014 to 2015 and began his political career as a member of the European Parliament, is Finland’s 13th president since the Nordic country gained independence from the Russian Empire in 1917. becomes.
Polling stations across the country closed at 8pm (6pm GMT).
Haavisto conceded defeat after Finnish public broadcaster YLE published a prediction shortly after 9pm indicating a victory for Stubb. At Helsinki City Hall, where candidates and the media watched the announcement of the results, Mr. Haavisto shook Mr. Stubb’s hand and congratulated him.
Mr. Stubbe and Mr. Haavisto, 65, are the leaders of an election in which more than 4 million voters will choose a successor to the hugely popular President Sauli Niinistö, whose second six-year term expires in March. He was a great candidate. He was not eligible for re-election.
Sunday’s run-off election was necessary after none of the original nine candidates received a majority of votes in the first round on January 28. Stubb topped the list with his 27.3%, followed by Haavisto with his 25.8%.
Several opinion polls have shown Stubb, who also served as Finland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Finance and European Affairs, to be the frontrunner for the presidential nomination.
Voter turnout for the first time was 70.7%, significantly lower than 75% for the first round.
During the campaign, Mr. Stubbe and Mr. Haavisto largely agreed on Finland’s foreign policy and security priorities. These include maintaining a hard line against Russia and its current leadership, strengthening security ties with Washington, and the need to support Ukraine at both military and civilian levels. Finland shares a 1,332-mile border with Russia.
Unlike most European countries, the Finnish president holds executive powers, working with the government to develop foreign and security policy, particularly regarding countries outside the European Union, such as the United States, Russia, and China.
The head of state also commands the military, but this is due to the current security environment in Europe and the changing geopolitical situation of Finland, which joined NATO in April 2023 in the wake of Russia’s attack on Ukraine the previous year. This is especially important.
The Finnish president is expected to distance himself from day-to-day politics and have little involvement in domestic political disputes.
Haavisto was Finland’s top diplomat from 2019 to 2023 and the main negotiator for NATO membership. This is the third time the former United Nations conflict mediator and passionate environmentalist is running for president as an independent candidate.