Presidential elections almost upon us
In a week and a half, Finns will finally have the chance after months of buildup to vote for their preferred presidential candidate. If no single candidate achieves over 50 per cent of the vote on 22 January, a second round of voting will be held on 5 February.
In this week’s Helsinki Times, we speak to all the candidates to find out what the country will look like with each of them at the helm. The new President of Finland won’t wield the same power as his or her predecessors, but the institution remains extremely significant in matters of foreign policy, while the incoming President will still have much scope for influencing public opinion. Therefore, learning more about the candidates running – including, naturally, the person who will ultimately take office in March – is a worthwhile endeavour, both to find out what they stand for and, come 22 January, which of the eight candidates Finnish citizens thought would best represent their country.
As well as this, we recap President Tarja Halonen’s 12 years as head of state, look at the changes in the President’s powers that will come into force at the beginning of the new President’s term in office, and give you the latest news on the race for the presidency.
ALLAN BAIN
HELSINKI TIMES
LEHTIKUVA - HEIKKI SAUKKOMAA
