The runoff election for the presidency has begun in the EU and NATO state Finland. Those entitled to vote can still decide between the former head of government Alexander Stubb (55) and the former foreign minister Pekka Haavisto (65) until the evening.
Almost two million voters – almost 46 percent of eligible voters living in Finland – had already cast their votes early. Based on their votes, a first projection will be published in the evening shortly after the polls close at 8 p.m. local time (7 p.m. CET). A preliminary final result should then be known in the course of the evening. According to surveys, Stubb is considered the slight favorite.
In the first round of elections two weeks ago, the conservative Stubb and the Green politician Haavisto received the most votes of the nine candidates. However, no one achieved an absolute majority straight away, which is why the second round of elections was scheduled between the two strongest candidates. The winner will succeed the previous head of state Sauli Niinistö as scheduled at the beginning of March. Niinistö is not allowed to run again after two six-year terms.
