Front-Runners in Finland Face Runoff Election for Presidency
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HELSINKI, Finland — Finland’s foreign minister and former prime minister were headed for a runoff in the country’s presidential election Sunday after neither won the necessary majority.
With all votes tallied, Foreign Minister Tarja Halonen had 40% to former Prime Minister Esko Aho’s 34%. The other five candidates received no more than 13% each.
Halonen, a Social Democrat, and Aho, of the main opposition Center Party, face a rematch Feb. 6. If Halonen wins, she will be Finland’s first woman president.
Whoever wins, no major changes are expected in Finnish policy. The president, responsible for foreign and security policy, relinquishes party membership when elected and is not involved in day-to-day domestic politics.
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