Spotlight on Finland's 2012 presidential election
In the decisive second round of the Finnish presidential election on February 5, Pekka Haavisto of the Green League is challenging long-time frontrunner Sauli Niinistö of the conservative National Coalition Party (NCP). Both can be seen as representing the pro-EU, affluent, urban elite of southern Finland, leaving many voters without a candidate they can firmly support. So who are these men and what are the real differences between them?
Age
Niinistö: 63
Haavisto: 53
Family
Niinistö: Married since 2009 to Jenni Haukio, NCP communications manager and author of three books of poetry. Two adult children from a previous marriage. Uncle of Green League chair and Environment Minister Ville Niinistö. Previously engaged to Centre Party politician and ex-Miss Finland Tanja Karpela.
Haavisto: In registered partnership with Ecuadorian-born hairstylist Nexar Antonio Flores since 2002. First openly gay presidential candidate.
Residence
Niinistö: Espoo
Haavisto: Helsinki
Education
Niinistö: Master of Laws.
Haavisto: High school graduate, studied political science but did not complete his degree.
Languages
Niinistö: Finnish, Swedish, English, French
Haavisto: Finnish, Swedish, English, French
Career
Niinistö: Finland’s longest-serving finance minister (1996-2003), deputy prime minister (1995-2001), Minister of Justice (1995-96), party chair (1994-2001), chair of European Democratic Union (1998-2002), chair of Ecofin Council and Euro Group (1999), Speaker of Parliament (2007-11), MP (1987-, 2007-11). This is Niinistö's second time in a presidential second round, having narrowly lost to Tarja Halonen in 2006.
Vice president of the European Investment Bank (2003-07), chair of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development 1999-2003.
Worked as a lawyer in Turku and Salo, chair of the Football Association of Finland since 2009.
Haavisto: MP (1987-95, 2007-), chair of the Green parliamentary group, Environment Minister (1995-99), the world’s first Green minister in a national government, party chair (1993-95), chair of European Green Party 2000-06.
Took part in Darfur peace talks as EU Special Representative in Sudan (2005-07). Led UN Environment Programme missions to Iraq, Afghanistan, Kosovo, Romania, Liberia and others. Foreign Ministry's special envoy for African crises, including Sudan and Somalia.
Did civilian national service and took part in the landmark Koijärvi environmental protest in 1979.
Key issues
Niinistö: Fiscal austerity, lower taxation, competitiveness, EU unity. Believes the presidential right to pardon prisoners should be revoked and that stronger action should be taken against illegal strikes. Questions the right of same-sex couples to marry. Considered to be pro-EU and pro-NATO.
Haavisto: Conflict resolution, tolerance, the environment, gender-neutral marriage. Favours a strong EU, firmly opposes Finnish NATO membership.
Key differences in answers given to YLE's online election guide:
"The president should regularly invite the cabinet for meetings."
Niinistö: Somewhat disagree.
Haavisto: Completely agree.
"Gay couples should have the right to marriage, not just registered partnerships."
Niinistö: Somewhat disagree.
Haavisto: Completely agree.
"Rescuing the planet requires giving up on the goal of constant growth."
Niinistö: Somewhat disagree.
Haavisto: Completely agree.
"The president should more strictly demand that China respect human rights, even if it would harm economic ties."
Niinistö: Somewhat disagree.
Haavisto: Completely agree.
"The president's spouse should have a visible role in society."
Niinistö: Agree somewhat.
Haavisto: Completely disagree.
"Finland will be a more difficult place for today's youth to succeed than it was for their parents."
Niinistö: Somewhat disagree.
Haavisto: Completely agree.
"A president should be prepared to give up on his or her privacy."
Niinistö: Agree somewhat.
Haavisto: Completely disagree.
Votes in 1st round
Niinistö: 1.13 million
(12% of them from Helsinki)
Haavisto: 574,000
(21% of them from Helsinki)
Others: 1.35 million
1st round campaign budget
Niinistö: 1,035,216 euros (31% from corporations)
Haavisto: 250,000 euros (12% from corporations)
Schedule for second round of election:
Advance votiing in Finland: Wed 25 Jan-Tue 31 Jan, 2012
Advance votiing abroad: Wed 25 Jan-Sat 28 Jan
Election day: Sun 5 Feb (9am-8pm)
Eligible voters
Just over 4.4 million Finnish citizens aged 18 and older.
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