Stubb and Haavisto to Face Off in Finnish Presidential Runoff

The election centers on Finland's new role as a NATO front-line country amid heightened security concerns in Europe.

Former Prime Minister Alexander Stubb won the first round of Finland’s presidential election and will face runner-up ex-Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto in a runoff next month.
The vote largely centered on Finland’s new role as a NATO front-line country with Russia, and the security situation in Europe, particularly Russia’s assault on Ukraine.
Stubb led the first round with 27.2 percent of the votes, while Haavisto took second place with 25.8 percent.
The first-round election result will be officially confirmed Tuesday, pushing the race into a runoff on Feb. 11 between Stubb and Haavisto.
Stubb represents the conservative National Coalition Party and Haavisto, an ex-U.N. diplomat and Green League member, is running for the post for the third time as an independent candidate.