January 22, 2024
Finland will elect its thirteenth president for a six year term in the upcoming Presidential elections. The first round will be held on Sunday. President Sauli Niinistö will be forced to step down due to term-limits after twelve years. The elections come at an important time for Finland, as questions about the security situation with Russia and NATO have dominated the election cycle.
Green League candidate Pekka Haavisto holds a narrow lead in the polls, having lost the previous election to Niinistö, his second failed Presidential campaign. Haavistp currently serves as MP, and has previously held the role of foreign minister.
National Coalition Party veteran Alexander Stubb os second in polling, narrowly behind Haavisto. Stubb is the slight favorite to win though, and he has extensive experience with the European Union and as Prime Minister from 2014-2015.
Center party candidate Olli Rehn is third in polling, polling some nine points behind the front two. Rehn is the governor of the Bank of Finland and a former MP and EU member.
Far right Finns Party candidate Jussi Halla-Aho is at eleven percent. As many as 46% of Finns say they wouldnt vote for Halla-aho, no matter the circumstances.
If no candidate receives over fifty percent of the vote, which seems certain, the election will see a second round in two weeks time, between the first and second place finishers.
All candidates support Ukraine and NATO membership.