ABC News reports:

Former Prime Minister Alexander Stubb won the first round of Finland’s presidential election Sunday and will face runner-up ex-Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto [photo] in a runoff next month.

The vote largely centered on the Nordic nation’s new role as a NATO front-line country with Russia, and the security situation in Europe, particularly Russia’s assault on Ukraine. With all the votes counted, Stubb led the first round with 27.2% of the votes, while Haavisto, Finland’s top diplomat in 2019-2023, took second place with 25.8%.

As foreign minister, Haavisto signed Finland’s historic accession treaty to NATO last year and played a key role in the membership process along with former Prime Minister Sanna Marin.

The Guardian reports: