HELSINKI, Jan 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Finns head to the polls on Sunday (Jan 28) to elect a new president, an office whose importance has grown following increased tensions with neighbouring Russia since the invasion of Ukraine.
While the president’s powers are limited, the head of state – who also acts as supreme commander of Finland’s armed forces – helps direct foreign policy in collaboration with the government, meaning the changing geopolitical landscape in Europe will be the main concern for the winner.
Two top politicians lead the pack of nine candidates: former conservative prime minister Alexander Stubb, and ex-foreign minister Pekka Haavisto of the Green Party who is running as an independent.
Just behind the frontrunners are far-right Finns Party candidate Jussi Halla-aho, who experts believe could also make it to the second round.
Polls open at 9am local time and close at 8pm.
Relations between Moscow and Helsinki deteriorated following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, prompting Finland to drop decades of military non-alignment and join NATO in April 2023.
Russia, with whom Finland shares a 1,340km border, swiftly warned of “countermeasures”.
Several months later, in August 2023, Finland observed an influx of migrants entering through its eastern border without visas.
Helsinki claimed Moscow was pushing the migrants in a hybrid attack to destabilise it, and Finland closed its eastern border in November.
“We are in a situation now where Russia and especially Vladimir Putin is using humans as a weapon,” Stubb said Thursday evening during the final televised debate.
“It’s a migrant issue, it’s a ruthless, cynical measure. And in that case we have to put Finland’s security first,” he added.
Main rival Haavisto stressed that Finland had to “send Russia a very clear message that this can’t go on”.
Incumbent President Sauli Niinisto – who is stepping down after serving two six-year terms – once prided himself on his close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin before becoming one of his most trenchant critics.
A poll published by public broadcaster Yle puts Stubb in the lead in the first round with 27 per cent of the vote, Haavisto in second place with 23 per cent and Halla-aho with 18 per cent.
Stubb was prime minister of Finland between 2014 and 2015, while Pekka Haavisto has held several ministerial posts.
A second voting round will be held on Feb 11 unless a candidate receives more than 50 per cent. — NNN-AGENCIES
