COMMENTARY: Finnish Presidential election had two winners
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By Antti Kokkonen
There were two winners in the Presidential elections. The candidate of the parties of the left, Tarja Halonen, got a second term, although it was through a second round which proved to be unexpectedly close. Although he lost, Sauli Niinistö, who was endorsed by the parties of the centre and right, achieved an excellent result.
Halonen’s victory was supposed to be a slam-dunk. Throughout her first term, the President was extremely popular, and was far ahead in opinion polls all the way to the first round. When the setup for the second round became clear, the situation was unexpectedly even.
Yesterday, the president of all the people celebrated at the Workers’ House in Helsinki along with the rest of the left. Today begins the journey to be leader of both halves of a divided nation. However, the President cannot forget the help that she got from the Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK), even if she might want to.
In spite of the victory, the close election race gives cause for reflection. How was the self-evident victory almost lost?
Disappointment among Niinistö supporters must now be quite tangible. The value of Niinistö’s achievement will later emerge, even to his own people.
It is a long way from the banking circles of Luxembourg to being the President of Finland, and Niinistö came close.
The National Coalition Party got a boost from Niinistö’s successful campaign, which could hold all the way to the Parliamentary elections just over a year from now.
Cooperation between the two large parties of the centre and right in the second round worked better than expected. A centre-right government after the 2007 Parliamentary election is now slightly more of a possibility than before.
It is interesting to see if Niinistö, inspired by the good result, will make another try for the top of Finnish politics as a candidate for Prime Minister.
One matter is quite clear now. After Halonen’s second term, Finland will shift to a period of six-year presidents. On the basis of these elections, it can be seen that seeking re-election is such a great risk for a president in office that it is unlikely that anyone will want to take it.
ANTTI KOKKONEN / Helsingin Sanomat
antti.kokkonen@hs.fi
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| 30.1.2006 - TODAY |
 COMMENTARY: Finnish Presidential election had two winners
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