Finnish citizens headed to the polls on Sunday to elect a new president. The president’s importance has increased as tensions with neighboring Russia have escalated since the Ukraine war.
Although the president’s powers are limited, the head of state, who also serves as commander-in-chief of the Finnish armed forces, works with the government to help direct foreign policy, and changes in the geopolitical situation in Europe are key for the winners. This means that it is a matter of serious concern. , News.Az reported, citing AFP news agency.
The nine-candidate group is led by two top politicians: Conservative former prime minister Alexander Stubb and former Green Party foreign minister Pekka Haavisto, who is running as an independent.
The poll closed at 8:00 pm (6:00 GMT), after which public broadcaster Yell announced the preliminary voting results, with Mr Stubb leading with 28.3%, followed by Mr Hervist with 25.8%.
Almost half of voters (44.5%) had cast their vote in advance.
“Every vote is a relief, and the fact that we got that many votes at the start feels really good…I’ve never felt so grateful,” Stubbe told Yale. Told.
The leading candidate was followed by far-right Finland Party candidate Jussi Halaaho with 16.1% of votes, and experts believed he had a chance of advancing to the second round of the run-off.
Haloaho told Ale that he believes “the vote share will improve as the vote count progresses on election day.”
Voter Hannu Kushti told AFP the country needed a president with “leadership” and “humanity”.
“Of course we have to be tough when we need to be,” he added.
News.AZ