Former Prime Minister Alexander Stubb won the first round of the Finnish presidential election on Sunday, with 99.0% of votes counted, official data revealed.
Stubb will face runner-up Pekka Haavisto in a runoff next month.
According to election authorities, Mr. Stubbe secured 27.1% of the vote and Mr. Harvist secured 25.8%.
None of the nine candidates taking part in the first elections since Finland joined NATO received more than 50% of the votes in the first round on Sunday, leading to a run-off. .
Polling stations nationwide closed at 8:00 p.m. (8:00 p.m. Japan time). Initial turnout was 74.9%.
Mr Stubb told supporters he was “grateful and humbled” by the result. He then moved on to the next final, saying, “You know, we made it to the final, but the competition begins now.”
Former Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto also expressed excitement at his performance in the vote, saying: “This is a great result from the first round and a very big difference from our successors.”
Why is the role of the President of Finland important?
Although the president’s powers are limited, the head of state works with the government to help direct foreign and security policy. The president also serves as Supreme Commander of the Finnish Armed Forces and represents the country at NATO meetings.
Sunday’s election comes at a critical time for Finland. Relations between the Nordic country and its neighbor have deteriorated since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
In response, Finland will join NATO in April 2023, ending decades of military non-alignment and eliminating threats of “countermeasures” from Russia, with which it shares a 1,340-kilometer (830-mile) border. caused it.
All nine candidates have pledged to take a tough stance on Russia if elected.
nm, jcg/sms (AFP, Reuters, DPA)