The Social Democratic Party's presidential candidate, incumbent President Tarja Halonen beat her rival Sauli Niinisto and was re-elected on Sunday 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.
(Xinhua News Agency January 30, 2006)
