HELSINKI: Finns head to the polls on Sunday (Jan 28) to elect a brand new president, an workplace whose significance has grown following elevated tensions with neighbouring Russia because the invasion of Ukraine.
Whereas the president’s powers are restricted, the top of state – who additionally acts as supreme commander of Finland’s armed forces – helps direct international coverage in collaboration with the federal government, that means the altering geopolitical panorama in Europe would be the primary concern for the winner.
Two prime politicians lead the pack of 9 candidates: former conservative prime minister Alexander Stubb, and ex-foreign minister Pekka Haavisto of the Inexperienced Celebration who’s operating as an impartial.
Simply behind the frontrunners are far-right Finns Celebration candidate Jussi Halla-aho, who specialists imagine might additionally make it to the second spherical.
Polls open at 9am native time and shut at 8pm.
Relations between Moscow and Helsinki deteriorated following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, prompting Finland to drop many years of navy non-alignment and be a part of NATO in April 2023.
Russia, with whom Finland shares a 1,340km border, swiftly warned of “countermeasures”.
INDEPENDENT AND ALLY
A number of months later, in August 2023, Finland noticed an inflow of migrants getting into by means of its japanese border with out visas.
Helsinki claimed Moscow was pushing the migrants in a hybrid assault to destabilise it, and Finland closed its japanese border in November.
“We’re in a scenario now the place Russia and particularly Vladimir Putin is utilizing people as a weapon,” Stubb stated Thursday night throughout the last televised debate.
“It is a migrant problem, it is a ruthless, cynical measure. And in that case we have now to place Finland’s safety first,” he added.
Primary rival Haavisto confused that Finland needed to “ship Russia a really clear message that this will’t go on”.
Within the post-Chilly Warfare interval, Helsinki maintained a great relationship with Moscow.
Incumbent President Sauli Niinisto – who’s stepping down after serving two six-year phrases – as soon as prided himself on his shut ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier than turning into considered one of his most trenchant critics.
Towards this backdrop, all of the presidential candidates champion each Finland’s independence and its new position as a NATO member, stated Hanna Wass, vice dean on the College of Social Science on the College of Helsinki.
“All of them appear to have a robust thought emphasising self-sufficiency, in that sooner or later Finland ought to be accountable for its defence independently and in addition be an lively contributor in constructing a shared European defence and Nordic cooperation,” Wass instructed AFP.
With related stances, the election might be extra concerning the personalities of the candidates, based on Tuomas Forsberg, professor of international coverage on the College of Tampere.
“This might be extra about electing a person, the place you have a look at the particular person’s credibility and reliability and perceived qualities as a pacesetter of international coverage,” Forsberg stated.
SIMILAR VIEWS
A ballot revealed by public broadcaster Yle places Stubb within the lead within the first spherical 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, whereas Pekka Haavisto has held a number of ministerial posts.
“They each have broad expertise in each home and international politics, which voters appear to worth essentially the most,” Wass stated.
Whereas sharing related political beliefs, Haavisto and Stubb characterize totally different backgrounds, Forsberg famous.
“Their background and values … are seen as fairly totally different as a result of Alex is extra a consultant of the suitable and Haavisto of the left,” he stated.
“Even when Haavisto has tried to underline that there’s nothing purple about him, that he has taken the center highway as a Inexperienced,” Forsberg added.
In a second voting spherical between the 2 – which might be held on Feb 11 until a candidate receives greater than 50 per cent – the election debates might be decisive, stated Forsberg.
