President Sauli Niinistö will announce his decision in spring regarding the candidature in the upcoming Presidential polls scheduled for January 2018, reported national broadcaster Yle.

The President disclosed it while visiting Kuopio along with the first lady, Jenni Haukio on Sunday as a part of their tours to across the country.

Niinistö said that he would follow the previous President, Tarja Halonen in this regard. Halonen announced her plans for running for a second term in May 2005.

The President said that the ongoing events in the world have an impact on Finland and it would not be ideal for a President to be busy with an election campaign.

That is why it’s good to have a few meetings first before announcing anything, said the Yle report quoting the President.

Meanwhile, different political parties already announced the names of their candidates for the next presidential elections scheduled to be held on January 28, 2018.

The ruling Suomen Keskusta (Centre Party) announced the name of former Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen as its candidate while oppositions Vihreä liitö' (Green League) and Vasemmistoliito (Left Alliance) announced Pekka Haavisto and Merja Kyllönen as their candidates respectively for the Presidential polls.

Earlier, in mid last year the President refused to speculate about his candidature in the next presidential elections following a survey report regarding the polls.

According to a survey findings published by a Finnish language newspaper last year , Niinistö would be a strong contender in 2018, if he contests.