Finnish citizens in Thunder Bay voting in historic Finnish presidential election

Finnish citizens in Thunder Bay, Ont., are participating in a historic election, as the country chooses its first president since it joined NATO last year. 

About 50 people participated in two days of advance polling over the past week at the honorary Finnish Consulate in Thunder Bay. The second round of voting in the city will take place Wednesday and Thursday.

"We had a very busy driveway," said Pasi Pinta, the honorary consul of Finland in Thunder Bay. "It was a terrific turnout, and we're hoping for something similar this Wednesday and Thursday."

Thunder Bay has historic ties to Finland from over a century of immigration and has one the largest Finnish populations outside of Finland itself. 

"We have very deep roots connecting our area to Finland," Pinta said, "and friends tend to care about each other. Our friendship has only strengthened ... We're fellow members in NATO. We're fellow neighbours to the Arctic. We share a lot of common issues and common values."    

Finland's government is headed by its prime minister, but the president is the head of state and the country's lead on foreign policy, Pinta explained.

The president also represents the country at NATO meetings and acts as commander-in-chief of the Finnish Defence Forces.

"There have been very big changes and shifts, not only in Europe but the world over that impacts Finland," Pinta said. "The new president will be up against some challenges, as is the rest of the world." 

For the first time since the Second World War, Finland's presidential hopefuls have been competing to present the toughest stance against Russia, aiming to please voters who perceive Russia's behavior toward its neighbours as hostile and aggressive, political analysts in the country said.

Finns were angered by Russia's invasion of Ukraine and are worried about a surge in migrants arriving in Finland via Russia, which led the Nordic country to close its entire 1,340-kilometre border with Russia to passenger traffic.

"If previously the aim was to compete over who had the best relations with Russia and who was best able to negotiate and interpret Russian politics, now the competition has shifted more toward who has the toughest stance in relation to Russia and perhaps also in defence policy," University of Helsinki political scientist Johanna Vuorelma said. 

The new president will replace retiring Sauli Niinisto, nicknamed "the Putin whisperer" for his previous close connections with the Russian leader.

No candidate obtained more than 50 per cent of the ballots cast in Sunday's first round of voting. 

Center-right candidate Alexander Stubb of the National Coalition Party and liberal Green Party member Pekka Haavisto will advance to a run-off election to be held on Feb. 11.