bIn the presidential election on Sunday, former Prime Minister Alexander Stubb (National Coalition Party) received the most votes. According to the Finnish broadcaster YLE, after counting almost 90 percent of the votes, Stubb received around 27 percent approval.
Former Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto (Greens) is just behind with just over 25 percent. In third place is Parliament Speaker Jussi Halla-aho from the right-wing populist grassroots Finns (around 19 percent), and in fourth place is former EU Commissioner Olli Rehn with just under 16 percent.
Since none of the leading candidates received an absolute majority, according to the forecast there will be a runoff election between Stubb and Haavisto. This will take place on February 11th. Surveys before the election gave Stubb a clear advantage in a direct duel with Haavisto.
The threat from Russia is the main issue in the election campaign
Stubb, whose result corresponds to the poll forecasts, appeared relieved in the evening. “It warms me, I’m very grateful and humbled by it,” said Stubb after the forecast was published. Haavisto, who did better than predicted shortly before the election, spoke of an “extremely good result” and announced that he would now go “full throttle” for the runoff election.
Stubb on Sunday in Espoo on the way to the polling station with his wife Suzanne Innes-Stubb
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Image: EPA
Third-place finisher Halla-aho admitted defeat and said he would not make a voting recommendation for the runoff. Rehn, who did better than polls predicted with around 16 percent of the vote, said the election campaign was an honor for him. “Important months, important weeks for Finnish democracy. The state of Finnish democracy is good,” said Rehn.
The election campaign was dominated by the threat from Russia, and security and defense issues were central. There were virtually no differences between the nine candidates. Finland's highest office is not only representative, the Finnish president is commander in chief of the armed forces and also directs parts of foreign policy. Outgoing President Sauli Niinistö led the country into NATO last April – together with then Foreign Minister Haavisto.