In a highly anticipated presidential election, Finland is gearing up to choose its next leader who will navigate the country's role in NATO and safeguard its longest stretch of border against Russia. Sunday's election presents a tight race between three prominent candidates: former Prime Minister Alexander Stubb, previous Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto, and Speaker of Parliament Jussi Halla-aho. With their foreign policy views aligned, the competition has intensified, making a second round of voting on February 11 all but certain.
As Finland joined NATO last year in response to Russia's aggressive invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the presidential candidates' ability to steer foreign and security policies will be a decisive factor in attracting voters. The elected president will be entrusted with deepening Finland's involvement in NATO, where it guards half of the bloc's border with Russia. Boasting one of Europe's strongest armies and a sizable reserve troop of 280,000, Finland is prepared to defend itself, with eight out of ten Finns expressing their readiness to protect their nation if attacked.
The successor to the outgoing President Sauli Niinisto, who skillfully elevated Finland's foreign policy and played a significant role in the country's accession to NATO, will undoubtedly face formidable challenges. Russia has already responded to Finland's military alignment with threats and tensions along the 1,300-kilometer (800-mile) border are escalating. Finland has even had to close its frontier entirely due to a "weaponized immigration" strategy employed by Russian authorities to push asylum seekers towards the Finnish border, putting pressure on the Finnish government.
Alexander Stubb, a former prime minister and professor, has held several top ministerial positions in Finland, including finance and foreign affairs. Rejoicing in Finland's membership in the strongest military alliance in the world, Stubb emphasizes the duty to maintain a robust defense and secure the nation's corner of the world.
Pekka Haavisto, a seasoned diplomat and Green Party politician, successfully led Finland into the NATO fold during his tenure as foreign minister. Haavisto proposes broad western and global support for Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression as his main priority.
Jussi Halla-aho, currently the speaker of Finland's parliament and a former leader of the nationalist Finns Party, appeals to voters disappointed with traditional parties. Known for his hardline stance on immigration, Halla-aho holds a stronger position on Russia compared to his rivals. He has even made a personal donation to have a message supporting Ukraine painted on the side of a rocket.
Olli Rehn, the Governor of the Bank of Finland, brings his expertise in economic policy and EU affairs to the table. Rehn prioritizes maintaining peace and security for Finland, particularly by finalizing Finland's integration into the western security alliance via NATO membership and cooperation with the United States.
Jutta Urpilainen, the European Commissioner for International Partnerships and former finance minister, advocates for preserving and enforcing peace and stability in Finland. She believes this can be achieved through strong national defense, close relationships with key allies, active participation in international organizations, and engagement in global efforts to address challenges like climate change.
With Finland's next president holding the crucial responsibility of upholding NATO commitments and protecting the nation from potential threats, the outcome of this election will shape the country's future stance on defense and diplomacy.