The Finnish President Sauli Niinistö remains in office for anor six years. After counting almost 60 percent of ballot papers, Niinistö won 63.8 percent of vote on Sunday, surpassing necessary absolute majority already in first attempt. In second place was Green politician Pekka Haavisto with 10.9 percent. He congratulated Niinistö and said that he remained president. The voting shares of six or candidates were less than seven percent.
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Niinisto, who was an independent candidate, has been considered popular Finnish president for decades. He succeeded as first candidate since introduction of runoff system in Finland in year 1994 to reach absolute majority in first ballot.
Niinistö had not only held several ministerial positions before his election as President 2012, but also served as President of Parliament. In his first term of office, lawyer had sought to bring EU member of Finland closer to NATO without angering large neighbouring state of Russia. “I did my best to enable einenDialog between Russia and West, NATO, Guardian Union, and US,” he said on Saturday on verge of an election campaign.
Despite Ukraine crisis around Crimean Peninsula 2014, Niinistö maintains good relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Finland shares a long border with Russia. Only 1917 Land of Russia dissolved and became independent. Finland’s foreign policy is dominated by an effort to drive a Western-oriented course without alienating Russia. Niinisto is also committed to this tradition.
