OREANDA-NEWS Former Finnish Prime Minister Alexander Stubb won the second round of the presidential election, gaining 51.6% of the vote after counting all ballots, the Yle portal reports.

The second presidential contender, former Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto, won 48.4% of the vote.

Stubb and Haavisto, after the first round of elections on January 28, advanced to the second round with results of 28.3% and 25.8%, respectively. A total of 9 candidates participated in the presidential campaign.

According to the law, the President is elected for 6 years for no more than two consecutive terms. Stubb will become the thirteenth head of state. He will take office on March 1.

Alexander Stubb held a number of ministerial positions in the country's governments. After being appointed Foreign Minister in 2008, he proved to be an active supporter of NATO. In 2014-2015, he headed the Cabinet of Ministers. In 2017, he announced that he was retiring from politics forever.

In 2023, Stubb unexpectedly announced his claims to the post of head of state.

Finland is electing a new president for the first time since joining NATO in April 2023. Unlike the heads of state of many other Western countries, the President of Finland plays an important role in the development and implementation of foreign policy, represents the country in NATO and heads the defense forces.

During the election campaign, Stubb proved himself to be an active supporter of the Euro-Atlantic and anti-Russian course. He opposed Russia's membership in the UN Security Council, as well as the rejection of full-fledged relations with its eastern neighbor as long as Russian troops are in Ukraine. He supported the confiscation of frozen Russian assets and their use to help Kiev.