Finland is conducting presidential elections on Sunday with the role of the president in leading foreign policy taking on heightened significance due to increased tensions with Russia following the war in Ukraine. The candidates are vying to present the toughest stance on Russia, a shift from the previous importance placed on maintaining friendly relations. The frontrunner, Alexander Stubb, has described Finnish foreign policy as 'existential'. Polling stations for the election will be opened in all countries where Russia maintains a diplomatic mission, including those deemed 'unfriendly' by the Kremlin. Finland, now the newest NATO member, is bracing for a new leader as voters seek a successor to the current president, Sauli Niinistö, often referred to as a 'mini-Niinistö'.
Finns vote for new president facing a more aggressive Russia https://t.co/yhEAdiNz8f via @LeoLaikola https://t.co/Sg1wyQAIHW
‘Voters are looking for a mini-Niinisto’: Finland braces for new president https://t.co/2D5omO622V
Here's the cast of characters seeking to become president in Finland, the newest NATO member https://t.co/bZ02T6zqH8
Finland presidential frontrunner says its foreign policy is ‘existential’ | Finland | The Guardian https://t.co/0SZA8UMSKc
Spoke to Finland’s presidential frontrunner Alexander Stubb this morning who said Finnish foreign policy is “existential” https://t.co/YKO1AeflPC
Russia said that polling stations for the upcoming presidential election will be opened in all countries where it maintains a diplomatic mission, including in countries deemed “unfriendly” by the Kremlin. https://t.co/9jvXP80aEI
⚠️ FINLAND'S PRESIDENTIAL HOPEFULS VIE TO OFFER TOUGHEST STANCE ON RUSSIA (Reuters) Maintaining friendly relations with Russia used to be an important task for Finnish presidents, but Sunday's election of a new leader will mark an unprecedented hardening of their approach… https://t.co/gZiYQtIz1r
#Finland goes to the polls to elect a new #president, whose role in leading foreign policy has been amplified by heightened tensions with neighboring #Russia following the war in Ukraine. https://t.co/lGojRQ15TL