Voters in Finland are choosing Sunday between two veteran politicians to be their next president - former prime minister Alexander Stubb and former foreign minister Pekka Haavisto, in a run-off election for the presidency after no candidate secured sufficient votes in the first round two weeks ago.
Stubb, a conservative, and Haavisto of the Greens garnered the most votes of the nine candidates in the first round. Stubb got 27.2% of the vote, while Haavisto got 25.8%.
The victor will take office at the beginning of March, succeeding President Sauli Niinist who has completed two six-year terms and is not permitted to stand again.
The Finnish president is elected directly and holds significant powers in foreign and security policy, apart from their ceremonial role. (QNA)
