As Finland elects a new president, the winner will play a vital role in directing foreign policy, especially amid the evolving geopolitical landscape in Europe. Despite the president’s limited powers, the head of state, who also serves as the supreme commander of Finland’s armed forces, collaborates with the government to shape foreign policy.
Two prominent figures lead the nine-candidate race: former conservative Prime Minister Alexander Stubb and ex-Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto of the Green Party, running as an independent. Polls closed at 8:00 pm (1800 GMT), and early results from advanced voting favored Stubb at 28.3 percent and Haavisto at 25.8 percent, with 44.5 percent of eligible voters casting their ballots in advance.
While far-right candidate Jussi Halla-aho trails at 16.1 percent, experts anticipate a potential runoff second round for him. Relations between Helsinki and Moscow have strained since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, prompting Finland to abandon military non-alignment and join NATO in April 2023, resulting in tensions and warnings from Russia.
The migration issue along Finland’s eastern border became a focal point in the campaign, with Stubb emphasizing security concerns and Haavisto calling for a strong message to Russia. The candidates, aligned on Finland’s NATO membership, are distinguishing themselves based on their personalities.
Incumbent President Sauli Niinisto, stepping down after two terms, once enjoyed close ties with Putin but later became a vocal critic. The candidates aim to balance Finland’s independence and NATO membership, emphasizing self-sufficiency and active participation in European defense and Nordic cooperation.
With similar political views, Stubb and Haavisto, despite representing different backgrounds, have broad experience in both domestic and foreign politics. The election may shift to candidates’ personalities, credibility, and leadership qualities, particularly if a second round occurs on February 11.
