Candidates neck-and-neck in Finland's presidential runoff
Voters went to the polls in Finland’s presidential runoff today, with polls predicting a close race between leftist President Tarja Halonen and conservative challenger Sauli Niinisto.
Halonen, the Nordic nation’s first female president, had been widely expected to cruise to victory, but her re-election appeared less certain as Niinisto rallied in the days leading up to the ballot.
Surveys showed the two candidates neck-and-neck after a powerful comeback by Niinisto, who trailed Halonen by 22 points in the first round on January 15.
Polls opened at 9am (7am Irish time). First results were expected after polls close at 8pm (6pm).
In their final debates, the contenders presented similar visions for neutral Finland’s foreign policy – the president’s primary domain – adding to the uncertainty of the outcome.
Both advocate close ties with NATO, but Niinisto is considered to be more open to membership in the alliance, a sensitive issue in a country that shares a 800-mile border with former enemy Russia.
About 35% of the 4.3 million voters cast advance ballots at post offices and libraries. Polls have shown as much as 25% of the electorate was undecided.
Vying for the support of undecided voters, Halonen and Niinisto, a former finance minister, met crowds at shopping malls in and around the capital and in northern Finland on Saturday.
Since taking office in 2000, Halonen, 62, has enjoyed high approval ratings in the egalitarian country that was the first in Europe to give women voting rights. She has urged supporters not to take her re-election for granted.
Experts said character could be the deciding factor, as the two candidates cautiously avoided controversial issues in their campaigns.
“They’re fishing in the same waters, so on the surface there really isn’t much to choose from,” said University of Helsinki journalism professor Tom Moring.
The head of state is not involved in day-to-day politics, and there is wide agreement on the main issues, including satisfaction with Finland’s EU membership since 1995, fostering good ties with neighbouring Russia and close cooperation with NATO.
