Each second-round candidates are acquainted figures in Brussels and capitals past. Stubb was an MEP earlier than he turned international minister after which premier, whereas Haavisto performed a key function, alongside Niinistö, in getting ready the best way for Finland to affix NATO final 12 months.
Analysts mentioned the times main as much as the second spherical will probably be intense for the 2 candidates as they battle for the allegiance of the right-leaning voters who backed Halla-aho or centrist candidate Olli Rehn, who gained 15.4 p.c within the first spherical.
“Now they are going to be examined in much more element and measured in opposition to one another in a approach they haven’t earlier than,” mentioned Åsa von Schoultz, a political scientist on the College of Helsinki, throughout a Sunday night time panel dialogue on Finland’s nationwide broadcaster Yle.
Stubb is seen as educated on worldwide affairs and a assured political participant who enjoys the highlight. He has at instances been criticized for brusqueness, nonetheless: He as soon as needed to apologize after being accused of swearing at a gathering of the Nordic Council, a regional cooperation physique.
Haavisto additionally has an extended international coverage observe report. He is commonly much less forceful in debates than Stubb, however is seen as a quietly efficient operator.
Each candidates symbolize mainstream political events in Finland: Stubb as a longtime lawmaker with the center-right Nationwide Coalition Occasion and Haavisto with the center-left Inexperienced Occasion.
As the ultimate outcomes got here in, each Stubb and Haavisto mentioned voters could be requested to make a key choice on who can greatest handle Finland’s safety.
“Voters must resolve who has essentially the most international coverage expertise and who may be simplest as commander-in-chief for a NATO Finland in addition to who matches their values greatest,” Stubb mentioned.