Presidential race starts slowly, issues emerging

Ideological differences and divergent security policy views have become more tangible as the presidential race slated for early 2018 is slowly starting.

With his current major popular backing, the incumbent president Sauli Niinistö is considered certain in making it to the second round. Local commentators have said his popularity is likely to decline when the campaign starts, though.

Actual debate between Niinistö and the contenders has been delayed. Niinistö said in May he would not start campaigning until in December. Following an outcry after his refusal to join other candidates in a panel debate at the Finland Forum in July, Niinistö said he would join one panel in October.

Niinistö is running as an independent candidate with an election association.

In 2012, Niinisto was elected as a candidate of the Kansallinen Kokoomus (National Coalition Party-NCP) and won 62 percent of the votes against the Vihreäliitto (Green League) candidate Pekka Haavisto in the second round of the election.

Former foreign minister and the newly formed Kansalaispuolue (Citizen’s Party) leader Paavo Väyrynen withdrew his earlier support for Niinistö in June, and said he would also run as a candidate.

Väyrynen said he did not accept Niinisto's emphasis of the European Union (EU) as a security policy asset. He said he believed a EU defence system would not be more than a European pillar of NATO.

Väyrynen has earlier run for presidency as a centrist. He is currently a Member of the European Parliament.

Meanwhile, Haavisto was nominated again as a Vihreäliitto candidate. He pledged his support for the view that the EU is also a security community. But Haavisto found fault with the way Niinistö had used his influence in domestic politics.

This past week, the populist Perussuomalaiset (Finns Party) party executive gave its support to the candidacy of MP Laura Huhtasaari. She is a conservative nationalist and once rejoiced in the success of Donald Trump in the U.S. presidential election.

She has harshly criticized Niinistö for meddling with domestic politics and commenting on the criminal convictions of Perussuomalaiset politicians.

Matti Vanhanen, former prime minister and the candidate of the ruling Suomen Keskusta (Centre Party) said on Saturday the candidacy of Huhtasaari may bring up themes that do not belong to the presidency and foreign policy.

Vanhanen said populist movements in Europe have been using presidential elections for publicity purposes.

The Vasemmistoliitto (Left Alliance), candidate is Member of European Parliament Merja Kyllönen.

The Suomen Ruotsalainen Kansanpuolue (Swedish People's Party of Finland) has nominated Member of European Parliament Nils Torvalds.

The social democratic ticket remains open with three female politicians running in an internal party vote. The Christian Democrats have not yet nominated a candidate.