On Sunday, Finnish citizens will head to the polls to elect a new president in what is an unprecedented time for the Nordic nation. Finland is now a member of NATO, a move that seemed almost unimaginable a few years ago, and its eastern border with Russia is now closed. These developments have put foreign and security policy at the forefront of the presidential election.
The president of Finland holds executive power in formulating foreign and security policy, particularly when dealing with countries outside the European Union such as the United States, Russia, and China. This makes the task of steering foreign policy the main responsibility of the president, according to Teivo Teivainen, a professor of world politics at the University of Helsinki.
With approximately 4.5 million eligible voters, Finland has nine candidates vying for the position of the head of state. The top contenders in Sunday's first round of voting are former Prime Minister Alexander Stubb and ex-Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto. However, none of the candidates are expected to receive more than 50% of the votes, leading to a runoff in February.
The significance of foreign and security policy in this election is evident when looking at the map. Finland shares a 1,340-kilometer (832-mile) border with Russia, making issues related to Russia and the country's NATO membership key topics of discussion during candidate debates and media coverage.
The decision to join NATO in May 2022, together with neighboring Sweden, marked a departure from Finland's decades of military non-alignment. This move was a direct response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which deeply impacted Finnish society. Finland became the 31st member of NATO in April last year, much to the displeasure of Russia and President Vladimir Putin.
As a NATO member with a war occurring just 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) from its border, the president's role in ensuring security has become increasingly important. The president also serves as the supreme commander of the Finnish military. Teivo Teivainen emphasizes that the threat of war is now a more tangible concern for Finland.
The geopolitical status of Finland has undergone a significant shift compared to previous years, with the country's role as a NATO front-line country now a central focus for presidential candidates. Under the Finnish Constitution, the president makes decisions on foreign and security policy matters alongside the government. Additionally, the president appoints the prime minister and government members and acts as a moral leader on major issues.
President Sauli Niinistö, who has held office since 2012, has been praised for his ability to maintain close ties and engage in dialogue with counterparts in Moscow, Washington, and Beijing. However, these ties with Russia have changed since the start of the Ukraine conflict. Moscow has responded to Finland's NATO membership and increased military cooperation with the United States by carrying out cyber attacks and threatening military activities in the Baltic Sea region.
Niinistö emphasizes the importance of maintaining connections with not only the United States but also with China and, when feasible, with Russia. The recent closure of the Finland-Russia border after the arrival of undocumented migrants has added another dimension to the relationship between the two countries. Finland suspects that Moscow is engaging in 'hybrid warfare' by sending undocumented migrants to undermine its security, a claim that Russia denies.
Finland plays a crucial role as the European Union's external border in the north and forms a significant part of NATO's northeastern flank. As the election approaches, the role of the president in shaping foreign and security policy remains a crucial concern for Finnish citizens.
