Finland braces for presidential showdown in Sunday runoff

Next Finnish president takes an important role in a new era within NATO in Sunday runoff

Finland is heading to the presidential runoff on Sunday, where a new president will be elected to guide the nation into a new era, shaping its role within NATO. Regardless of the winner, Finland’s new leader will adopt a pro-European stance and show unwavering support for Ukraine.

Following incumbent Sauli Niinisto’s retirement, Finland prepares for a new era in its NATO alliance. The Finnish president, who works closely with the government, holds a pivotal role in NATO meetings and serves as the commander-in-chief of the Finnish Defense Forces.

Former Prime Minister Alexander Stubb, representing the National Coalition Party, secured a narrow lead in the initial voting round on Jan. 28. Currently, he maintains a 6-8 percentage point advantage over his opponent, former foreign minister and center-left liberal Pekka Haavisto, according to polling data.

NATO membership

While Haavisto, a member of the Green Party, has pledged to uphold Finland’s existing legislation, which bans nuclear weapons on Finnish soil, Stubb would permit the transportation of nuclear weapons but opposes their storage in Finland.

According to Jokisipila from the Centre for Parliamentary Studies, Stubb is prepared to delve deeper into NATO’s fundamental principles. He noted that Stubb also advocates for the deployment of permanent NATO troops in Finland, which contrasts with Haavisto’s perspective, as Haavisto sees no necessity for such a presence.

Source: Newsroom

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