Halonen wins second term as Finnish president
(AFP)
Updated: 2006-01-30 08:36

Finnish President Tarja Halonen, dubbed "the mother of the nation", won a second six-year term with 51.8 percent of the vote over Conservative party candidate Sauli Niinistoe.

Presidential candidate Sauli Niinisto (R) congatulates his rival Tarja Halonen after the latest results of the second round of the Finnish Presidential elections at the Finnish Broadcasting Company headquarters in Helsinki. Halonen, dubbed "the mother of the nation", won a second six-year term with 51.8 percent of the vote over Niinistoe. [AFP]

Niinistoe promptly conceded defeat, even before a 99.9 percent vote count clearly showed that he had been beaten.

"Madame has won the election, but the man who lost can still stand tall," Niinistoe said after gallantly kissing Halonen's hand in the Helsinki TV studio where candidates and observers were gathered for the evening.

Outside, Halonen's supporters were chanting "Tarja, Tarja" as they toasted the winner with champagne.

Niinistoe, a former finance minister, had looked like a pushover after opinion polls last week credited Halonen with up to 55 percent of voter support.

But days before the vote, Halonen's lead narrowed to a mere two percentage points, 51 percent against 49 percent.

Halonen, who is Finland's first female president, had managed to once again mobilize her country's women voters, observers said.

"One reason behind the success is that the women vote still matters," political scientist Tuomo Martikainen told AFP.

"Six years ago, I was the first female president, this time I am the first re-elected female president," a smiling and relaxed Halonen said after her victory.

Halonen is a product of her country's well-established Social Democratic traditions, but her unconventional profile makes her stand out from the crowd.

She is often dubbed in the media "President of all Finns" and "the mother of the nation", phrases that reflect the immense popularity of the woman whom most Finns simply call "Tarja".

In 2004, her popularity surged to 94 percent -- an almost unimaginable level for a western democracy and the highest score recorded in the country since it gained its independence in 1917 -- before settling down to around 70 percent now.

The 62-year-old incumbent had been predicted to sail through the first round on January 15 with an absolute majority.

But in the end she was forced into a runoff with just 46.3 percent of the vote.

Finnish political experts admitted they had misjudged the contest when they presented Halonen's victory as a foregone conclusion when Niinistoe won just 24.1 percent in the first round.

Halonen paid tribute to her rival's efforts, saying he had conducted "a good campaign".

Niinistoe, a vice president of the European Investment Bank (EIB), threatened Halonen's chances with a skilled campaign during which he claimed that Finland needed a president who "understands globalization" and could develop ways to create jobs in a changing world.

The Conservative challenger has even styled himself as "the president of the workers".

He also needled Halonen by insisting that Finland needed to decide soon whether to join NATO, a debate that the president said was not necessary for many years to come.

Popular and with an easy sense of humor, Halonen had emphasized a need to preserve the Finnish welfare state.

With a proven track record in foreign policy, which is mainly in the hands of the Finnish president, Halonen has also defended the rights of minorities and has fought for social protection against globalization.

Business-like, Halonen said Sunday that she "would just go back to work" on Monday morning.

Niinistoe said he would return to his job at the EIB in Luxembourg "which is also a good way to serve Finland".

Turnout was 77.1 percent against over 80.2 percent at the last election.

The Social Democrats have held the presidency in Finland since 1982.