The Social Democratic Party's presidential candidate, incumbent President
Tarja Halonen beat her rival Sauli Niinisto and was re-elected yesterday in the
second round of voting in the Finnish Presidential Election.
With 99.9 percent of the vote counted at night on Sunday, Halonen, getting
51.8 percent, or almost 1.62 million of the votes, was re-elected for the second
six-year term. While her main rival, Finnish leading opposition Party -- the
National Coalition Party's candidate, former finance minister Sauli Niinisto
with 48.2 percent of the votes, lagged behind Halonen.
It was the 19th presidential election held in Finland. About 3. 14 million or
77.2 percent of the voters turned out for the second round of voting.
Under Finland's Constitution, the President of the Republic of Finland is
elected by direct popular vote for a six-year term. The same person can be
elected president for no more than two consecutive terms. Halonen is re-elected
in the presidential election this time, thus becoming the only president chosen
for two terms since direct election was introduced in 1994 in Finland.
Tarja Halonen, 62 years old, is one of the most experienced political leaders
in Finland. She began her political career in 1970s and has held the ministerial
portfolios of health and social affairs, justice and foreign affairs. In 2000,
Halonen won the presidential election, and became Finland's first female
president in the history of the Republic.
Finland's Constitution was revised in 2000, removing most of the president's
domestic political powers. Although the powers of the president have been
curtailed by constitutional reforms, the post is still the most prestigious in
Finland. The president continues to play a significant role, particularly in
foreign and security policies.
Halonen pays attention to globalization, and emphasizes that measures should
be taken to remove the disadvantageous influence that globalization has brought.
She claims that a fairer world is a safer world.
Halonen stresses that Finland will continuously keep good relations with all
of its neighboring countries, and strengthen cooperation in every aspect with
Russia. She also hopes to keep good relations with the United States, and
increase cooperation with China.
Halonen upholds Finland's current foreign policies, military non-alignment
and the maintenance of an independent and reliable defense.
As a majority of Finns continuing to oppose NATO membership, Halonen stresses
that NATO membership is a possibility for Finland in future, but it is not
necessary at the moment. However, she admits that cooperation with NATO will
grow in the near future.
Finland will assume the six-month rotating presidency of the European Union
in the second half of this year, therefore Halonen emphasizes that Finland would
like to promote security, economic growth, employment, social justice and
well-being of people and the environment.
On domestic policies, Halonen supports the traditional Northern European
welfare society. She also underlines the importance of democracy and human
rights, and will continue to support the employment right, equality, security
and welfare of the citizens.
Halonen will inaugurate as president on March 1 for the second term, and
become the 19th President of the Republic of Finland. She will also be the sixth
incumbent female president in the world.