As of: January 29, 2024, 3:32 p.m
By: Laura May
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Press
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There will be a runoff election for the presidency in Finland.
The main issue for both candidates is security at the NATO border with Russia.
Helsinki - The security threat posed by the war in Ukraine dominates the Finnish presidential election campaign.
The country's historical neutrality has changed since Putin's attack on his neighbor - Finland has a border with Russia that is around 1,300 kilometers long.
Finland has been NATO's youngest member since last April.
Last Sunday (January 28th), two candidates made it into the runoff election on February 11th: the Green ex-Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto (25.8 percent) and Finland's conservative ex-Prime Minister Alexander Stubb (27.2 percent).
The candidate of the ultra-right Finnish Party, Jussi Halla-aho, came a distant third (19 percent), reports
AFP
.
Russia is not only threatening NATO member Finland militarily
The two remaining candidates do not differ significantly in their line towards Russia.
Both support Finland's membership in NATO and see the complex threat posed by Vladimir Putin, not only of a military nature, but also through targeted destabilization campaigns.
In November, Finland closed its eastern border as it suspected Russian strategy behind the increasing number of migrants.
The president of Finland traditionally determines foreign policy and is commander in chief of the armed forces - the winner of the runoff election on February 11th will therefore have a strong focus on Russia.
The independent candidate Pekka Haavisto, as foreign minister, was already significantly involved in Finland's accession to NATO last year and continues to warn of the immediate threat from Russia.
"People here are aware of the security risks even in peaceful times," the 65-year-old told
Newsweek
.
Russia's war against Ukraine is "close" to NATO's eastern border.
Haavisto on threat from Russia: “We leave the borders where they are”
Haavisto repeatedly emphasizes how important NATO's ability to act is.
One must be prepared for a possible attack by Russia.
The security situation in his country is dominating the election campaign and many people in Finland are unsettled.
During a visit to Lapland, an unsettled man asked him whether he should sell his house, which is only 50 kilometers from the Russian border.
“Wow, don’t sell,” he replied.
“We leave the borders where they are.” However, the man's question reflects the great fears and concerns that are currently affecting the Finnish population, Haavisto told
Newsweek
.
(lm)