Finland’s centre-right candidate and former Prime Minister Alexander Stubb, on Sunday (Feb 11) won the high-stakes Finnish presidential election after his rival ex-foreign minister and liberal candidate Pekka Haavisto conceded with nearly all the votes counted.&nbsp;

<h2>What happened?</h2>

The National Coalition Party (NCP) candidate narrowly won defeating liberal Green Party member Haavisto who conceded saying “Well, Alexander. Congratulations to Finland’s 13th president.”

He added, “I believe Finland now gets a good president for the republic. Alexander Stubb is an experienced, competent person for the job. No more babble.”

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/finland-elections-stubb-and-haavisto-continue-to-second-round-of-presidential-race-684644">Finland elections: Stubb and Haavisto continue to second round of presidential race</a>

Stubb had declared himself the winner in the run-off vote after securing 51.6 per cent of the votes after 99.7 per cent of ballots had been counted, against Haavisto’s 48.4 per cent, reported Reuters citing justice ministry data.&nbsp;

The pro-European and strong supporter of Ukraine made a return to politics with this election after a seven-year hiatus. “This is the greatest honour of my life,” said Stubb after Haavisto conceded.

The NCP candidate also led the polls after the first round on January 28 with 27.2 per cent of votes, while Haavisto came in a close second with 25.8 per cent of the vote.&nbsp;

<h2>High-stakes election</h2>

Amid the increased tensions between Finland and neighbouring Russia since the invasion of Ukraine, the election for the Nordic nation came at an unprecedented time. &nbsp;

Helsinki has also recently become a part of NATO and closed its eastern border with Russia, actions which would have been dismissed as an absurd thought a few years ago.&nbsp;

Unlike most European countries, the president of Finland holds executive power in formulating foreign and security policy, including acting as the supreme commander of the country’s armed forces.&nbsp;

Stubb will replace incumbent President Sauli Niinisto, 75, who is required to step down after serving two six-year terms. The 55-year-old will&nbsp;take office amid severely strained&nbsp;relations between Finland and Russia following Moscow’s invasion of Kyiv in 2022.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/finland-elections-finns-head-to-polls-in-tight-presidential-race-amid-russia-tensions-684565">Finland elections: Finns head to polls in tight presidential race, amid Russia tensions</a>

Notably, international security and defence were a high priority for Finnish voters. Finland has witnessed&nbsp;an influx of migrants entering through its eastern border without visas and accused Russia of pushing its migrants in a hybrid attack to destabilise it.&nbsp;

Stubb and Haavisto, have both served as foreign ministers and championed Finland’s independence and its new role as a NATO member. They also called for a tough stance towards Russia.

However, Stubb is in favour of deep NATO cooperation including transport of nuclear weapons across Finnish soil and placing some troops of the United States-led alliance in the country permanently. However, he does not support storing nuclear weapons in Finland.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Finland’s centre-right candidate and former Prime Minister Alexander Stubb, on Sunday (Feb 11) won the high-stakes Finnish presidential election after his rival ex-foreign minister and liberal candidate Pekka Haavisto conceded with nearly all the votes counted.

Finland’s centre-right candidate and former Prime Minister Alexander Stubb, on Sunday (Feb 11) won the high-stakes Finnish presidential election after his rival ex-foreign minister and liberal candidate Pekka Haavisto conceded with nearly all the votes counted. What happened? The National Coalition Party (NCP) candidate narrowly won defeating liberal Green Party member Haavisto who conceded saying “Well, Alexander. Congratulations to Finland’s 13th president.” He added, “I believe Finland now gets a good president for the republic. Alexander Stubb is an experienced, competent person for the job. No more babble.” ALSO READ | Finland elections: Stubb and Haavisto continue to second round of presidential race Stubb had declared himself the winner in the run-off vote after securing 51.6 per cent of the votes after 99.7 per cent of ballots had been counted, against Haavisto’s 48.4 per cent, reported Reuters citing justice ministry data. The pro-European and strong supporter of Ukraine made a return to politics with this election after a seven-year hiatus. “This is the greatest honour of my life,” said Stubb after Haavisto conceded. The NCP candidate also led the polls after the first round on January 28 with 27.2 per cent of votes, while Haavisto came in a close second with 25.8 per cent of the vote. High-stakes election Amid the increased tensions between Finland and neighbouring Russia since the invasion of Ukraine, the election for the Nordic nation came at an unprecedented time. Helsinki has also recently become a part of NATO and closed its eastern border with Russia, actions which would have been dismissed as an absurd thought a few years ago. Unlike most European countries, the president of Finland holds executive power in formulating foreign and security policy, including acting as the supreme commander of the country’s armed forces. Stubb will replace incumbent President Sauli Niinisto, 75, who is required to step down after serving two six-year terms. The 55-year-old will take office amid severely strained relations between Finland and Russia following Moscow’s invasion of Kyiv in 2022. ALSO READ | Finland elections: Finns head to polls in tight presidential race, amid Russia tensions Notably, international security and defence were a high priority for Finnish voters. Finland has witnessed an influx of migrants entering through its eastern border without visas and accused Russia of pushing its migrants in a hybrid attack to destabilise it. Stubb and Haavisto, have both served as foreign ministers and championed Finland’s independence and its new role as a NATO member. They also called for a tough stance towards Russia. However, Stubb is in favour of deep NATO cooperation including transport of nuclear weapons across Finnish soil and placing some troops of the United States-led alliance in the country permanently. However, he does not support storing nuclear weapons in Finland. (With inputs from agencies)

Finland: Former PM Alexander Stubb wins high-stakes presidential election

Finland’s former prime minister and conservative candidate Alexander Stubb narrowly won the first round of the Nordic nation’s presidential election on Sunday (Jan 28), and will face ex-foreign minister and liberal candidate Pekka Haavisto in a run-off next month.&nbsp;

<h2>What happened?</h2>

With all the votes counted, right-wing National Coalition Party’s Stubb took the lead with 27.2 per cent, followed by liberal Green Party candidate Haavisto with 25.8 per cent support, while Jussi Halla-aho from the far-right Finns Party came in third with 19 per cent support, according to the election officials.&nbsp;

Since none of the candidates managed to garner more than 50 per cent of the votes, a run-off between the top two will be held on February 11. According to official data, the voter turnout for the first round stood at 74.9 per cent, up from 69.9 per cent in the last presidential election in 2018.&nbsp;

“You know what, we made it to the final, but the competition will only begin now,” Stubb, 55, told his supporters.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/finland-elections-finns-head-to-polls-in-tight-presidential-race-amid-russia-tensions-684565">Finland elections: Finns head to polls in tight presidential race, amid Russia tensions</a>

“We made it to the second round. That is now clear,” Haavisto, 65, told his supporters at his election party on Sunday night. He added, “I am very happy and satisfied. We have worked hard for this.” If elected, Haavisto would become Finland’s first openly gay president.&nbsp;

The election began with an array of nine candidates to replace incumbent President Sauli Niinisto, 75, who is required to step down after serving two six-year terms.&nbsp;

<h2>High-stakes election</h2>

The high-stakes election for the Nordic nation comes at an unprecedented time, with it recently becoming a part of NATO and the closure of its eastern border with Russia, actions which would have been dismissed as an absurd thought a few years ago.&nbsp;

Unlike most European countries, the president of Finland holds executive power in formulating foreign and security policy, including acting as the supreme commander of the country’s armed forces.&nbsp;

Both Stubb and Haavisto have supported Ukraine and called for tough measures against Russia. The relations between Finland and Russia have significantly deteriorated following Moscow’s invasion of Kyiv in 2022.

The border closure and Helsinki’s NATO membership prompted Moscow to warn the Nordic nation of “counter measures”.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-president-vladimir-putin-warns-of-problems-with-finland-after-nato-membership-670665">Russian President Vladimir Putin warns of 'problems' with Finland after NATO membership</a>

Haavisto, on Thursday (Jan 25) evening during a final televised debate, stressed that Finland had to “send Russia a very clear message that this can’t go on."

Ahead of the elections, Stubb, in an interview with Reuters, said the next president would not only be the first Finnish NATO president, but also “a Western president in many ways”.&nbsp;

He also called for a leaning towards countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and the country’s other Nordic neighbours in foreign policy.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Finland’s former prime minister and conservative candidate Alexander Stubb narrowly won the first round of the Nordic nation’s presidential election on Sunday (Jan 28), and will face ex-foreign minister and liberal candidate Pekka Haavisto in a run-off next month.

Finland’s former prime minister and conservative candidate Alexander Stubb narrowly won the first round of the Nordic nation’s presidential election on Sunday (Jan 28), and will face ex-foreign minister and liberal candidate Pekka Haavisto in a run-off next month. What happened? With all the votes counted, right-wing National Coalition Party’s Stubb took the lead with 27.2 per cent, followed by liberal Green Party candidate Haavisto with 25.8 per cent support, while Jussi Halla-aho from the far-right Finns Party came in third with 19 per cent support, according to the election officials. Since none of the candidates managed to garner more than 50 per cent of the votes, a run-off between the top two will be held on February 11. According to official data, the voter turnout for the first round stood at 74.9 per cent, up from 69.9 per cent in the last presidential election in 2018. “You know what, we made it to the final, but the competition will only begin now,” Stubb, 55, told his supporters. ALSO READ | Finland elections: Finns head to polls in tight presidential race, amid Russia tensions “We made it to the second round. That is now clear,” Haavisto, 65, told his supporters at his election party on Sunday night. He added, “I am very happy and satisfied. We have worked hard for this.” If elected, Haavisto would become Finland’s first openly gay president. The election began with an array of nine candidates to replace incumbent President Sauli Niinisto, 75, who is required to step down after serving two six-year terms. High-stakes election The high-stakes election for the Nordic nation comes at an unprecedented time, with it recently becoming a part of NATO and the closure of its eastern border with Russia, actions which would have been dismissed as an absurd thought a few years ago. Unlike most European countries, the president of Finland holds executive power in formulating foreign and security policy, including acting as the supreme commander of the country’s armed forces. Both Stubb and Haavisto have supported Ukraine and called for tough measures against Russia. The relations between Finland and Russia have significantly deteriorated following Moscow’s invasion of Kyiv in 2022. The border closure and Helsinki’s NATO membership prompted Moscow to warn the Nordic nation of “counter measures”. ALSO READ | Russian President Vladimir Putin warns of 'problems' with Finland after NATO membership Haavisto, on Thursday (Jan 25) evening during a final televised debate, stressed that Finland had to “send Russia a very clear message that this can’t go on." Ahead of the elections, Stubb, in an interview with Reuters, said the next president would not only be the first Finnish NATO president, but also “a Western president in many ways”. He also called for a leaning towards countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and the country’s other Nordic neighbours in foreign policy. (With inputs from agencies)

Finland elections: Stubb and Haavisto continue to second round of presidential race

In a unique move to promote girls’ rights, Finland appointed a 16-year-old teenage girl to be the country's president for a day. The move was part of a global campaign--- to promote girls’ rights and gender equality.

Finland appoints 16-year-old teenage girl to be country's president for a day

Finns voted in an election on Sunday (April 14) likely to result in a change of government with the Social Democrats returning to power for the first time in 20 years, as voters worry over the future of the country's generous welfare system as the costs of caring for a rapidly ageing population rise.

Voting begins in Finland election likely to see change in government