Former Conservative Prime Minister Alexander Stubb and former Green Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto will face off on February 11.
Former conservative Prime Minister Alexander Stubb came first in the first round of the Finnish presidential election with 27.2% of the vote.
He will be opposed in the second round on February 11 to Pekka Haavisto, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, member of the Greens who was running as an independent. The latter received 25.8% of the votes.
The far-right candidate came clearly behind the duo with 19% of the vote.
The campaign was dominated by the theme of national security against the backdrop of tensions with neighboring Russia.
“This election in Finland is important because the role of the president has become more fundamental, believes Teivo Teivainen, Professor of international politics at the University of Helsinki. In times of war and NATO membership, the president takes care of Foreign Affairs, and Foreign Affairs and Defense have become increasingly important in Finland.”
Voters responded to the call of the polls with nearly 75% participation.
Alexander Stubbb and Pekka Haavisto both advocate for Finland’s independence and its new role as a NATO member.
The winner will succeed outgoing President Sauli Niinistö, who is stepping down after reaching the limit of two six-year terms.