New Finnish President Alexander Stubb (left) and candidate Pekka Haavisto, February 11, 2024. Photo: Le Monde

With all the votes counted, Stubb got 51.6% of support in the final round, while Independent Green candidate Pekka Haavisto obtained 48.4%, according to figures released by the Finnish Ministry of Justice.

Haavisto admitted defeat and congratulated Stubb on winning the election.

Stubb served as Prime Minister of Finland from 2014 to 2015 while Haavisto held several ministerial positions in the cabinet.

In Finland, the President is the head of state, the supreme commander of the armed forces, and coordinates with the government on foreign policy. Europe’s current volatile geopolitical context is said to be main concern of the winner of this presidential election.