Tuesday November 26, 2024

Landslide victory surprises Niinistö

Published : 28 Jan 2018, 23:06

Updated : 29 Jan 2018, 00:21

  DF-Xinhua Report
Finnish incumbent President Sauli Niinisto speaks during a press conference after winning a landslide victory in the presidential election in Helsinki, Finland, on Jan. 28, 2018. Photo Xinhua Xinhua by Matti Matikainen.

With all ballots counted, incumbent president Sauli Niinistö was re-elected in Sunday's presidential election.

Niinistö won 62.7 percent of the votes. He said he was surprised to see the landslide victory.

Green party candidate Pekka Haavisto came the second with 12.4 percent. None of the rest six candidates won over seven percent.

Talking to the media when the victory was certain, Niinistö said he was surprised with the result, and he believed people were satisfied with his performance and there was no need to change.

Niinistö underlined that he has no intention of becoming a "big leader" of Finland, indicating he does not envisage a greater role, especially in the domestic policies.

The powers of the president in domestic issues have been reduced in recent decades. Latest opinion polls have shown a public desire for more presidential powers again.

Niinistö, 69, will start serving his second term until 2024.