Finland chooses leader in historic post-NATO election
On Sunday, Finland will hold its first presidential election since the country's historic decision to join NATO in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, BBC has reported.
The newly-elected president will shoulder significant responsibility, representing Finland at the vital military alliance's summits.
Recent months have witnessed heightened concerns over a surge in migrants crossing the 1,300-km Finnish-Russian border, prompting authorities to temporarily close it entirely. This issue, along with Finland's evolving security landscape under NATO, is expected to dominate the election discourse.
Frontrunner Alexander Stubb, a centre-right politician and former Prime Minister, has declared that Finland is entering a "new era," emphasising the need for strong leadership to navigate this pivotal moment. His challengers represent diverse perspectives, ranging from the pro-EU Green Party candidate to a eurosceptic politician advocating for tighter border controls.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
