Sauli Niinistö got 63 percent of the vote and becomes the first non-Social Democrat president in Finland since 1982. He takes over after Tarja Halonen and will stay in office for the coming six years. Niinistö represents the moderate conservative National Coalition Party.
The other candidate, Pekka Haavisto from the Green Party got 37 percent. The turnout was 69 percent, the lowest in Finnish presidential elections since 1950.
The new president is seen as a pro-Europe supporter and says he want to keep Finland in the eurozone despite the current economical crises that shakes many EU member countries.
Sauli Niinistö was finance minister when Finland joined the eurozone in 2002.
Asked by Helsingin Sanomat what is his three most important focal points, Sauli Niinistö answered “export promotion, fighting climate changes and promoting human rights.”
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