| TODAY |
Updated 3.2.2012. Next update on Monday 6.2, c. 13:00 (GMT+2)
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PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, SUNDAY 22:00 - Sauli Niinistö, 63, is Finland's 12th President, after defeating Pekka Haavisto by a wide margin of 62.6% to 37.4%
With all the votes now in and counted, Finland has a new President from the National Coalition Party. Former Finance Minister and Speaker of Parliament Sauli Niinistö defeated Pekka Haavisto (Greens) by a margin of 62.6% to 37.4% and becomes the first non-Social Democrat head of state in Finland since 1982.
On a bitterly cold election day, the turnout in the election fell by around four points from the first round to hit just 68.8%, the lowest figure for a presidential poll since 1950. To some extent the low turnout on Sunday (36.6% had already voted in advance) was a climatic phenomenon, but it is clear that in certain areas of the country neither of the two finalists met with the approval of those sections of the electorate who had lost their candidate in the first round.
Niinistö beat Haavisto comfortably in all areas of the country with the exception of the Åland Islands, and in Helsinki, where the two men were evenly matched. Niinistö becomes the first Finnish President from the moderate conservative National Coalition Party since 1956, and his election ushers in a period when Finland's Prime Minister (Jyrki Katainen) and titular head of state are both from the NCP.
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Pekka Haavisto triples presidential election budget
Green League candidate Pekka Haavisto has received massive amounts of donations from supporters in the second round of Finland’s presidential elections. By Thursday evening Haavisto’s campaign budget had brown to more than EUR 710,000 – nearly three times higher than the EUR 250,000 reported for the first round. The second-round budget of National Coalition Party candidate Sauli Niinistö is more than a million euros. Meanwhile, a fresh poll indicates that Niinistö has a comfortable lead among voters voicing an opinion. However, 23% of respondents did not give a preference.
METRO
More than 40 injured in multiple accidents and massive delays to Helsinki public transport as snow and ice compound the chilly conditions UPDATED SATURDAY
More snow and a continuation of the intense cold of recent days are bringing serious problems for transport, both public and private, in Southern Finland. In Uusimaa the driving conditions are extremely treacherous in parts, as driving powdery snow reduces visibility and road surfaces are very slick. All railed traffic in the capital is having difficulties. Numerous commuter and long-distance train departures have been cancelled, the Helsinki Metro is suffering from problems with automatic doors and brakes, meaning that trains are not keeping to their normal timetables, and trams are unable to operate on their normal routes. Bus companies have exhorted drivers to throw away the schedules and drive very carefully. There have been pile-ups involving several vehicles on Kehä I (the Inner Ring Road), Kehä III (the Outer Ring), Hämeenlinnanväylä and Lahdenväylä. Hospitals in the region have raised their levels of readiness in anticipation of injuries.
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 Cash-strapped police putting lower priority on petty criminals
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Sarvamaa, not Penttilä to replace Ville Itälä in European Parliament
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Demand for personal bodyguards is growing in Finland
METRO
Tuula Haatainen leaves Helsinki to become next deputy CEO of the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities
FOREIGN
Finnish soldiers again under fire in Afghanistan
CULTURE
Kone Foundation grants EUR 6 million for language programme
BUSINESS & FINANCE
Kesko Corporation considers setting up logistics centre in Estonia
SPORT
The cold weather limit for Saturday’s “Winter Classic” open-air ice hockey match has been set at -20°C
SPORT
Fans pleased with news of ownership change at Espoo Blues ice hockey team
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| THIS WEEK |
Updated 31.1.2012. Our next weeklies update will be on Tuesday 7.2.2012, c.17:00 (GMT+2)
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Presidential election seen to brighten Finland’s image abroad
As the decisive second round of Finland’s presidential elections approaches, the two finalists in the race - National Coalition Party candidate Sauli Niinistö and Pekka Haavisto of the Green League - are making efforts to reach out to undecided voters beyond the political base of their respective parties. When Helsingin Sanomat asked Niinistö and Haavisto to pick their top priorities from among a list of issues, Haavisto chose peace mediation in crises, free trade, and export promotion. Niinistö picked export promotion, fighting climate change, and promoting human rights.
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Niinistö’s wife: Livelier than most people think
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Haavisto’s partner: Antonio Flores – irresistible charmer
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Florida Finns say Finnish elections look “soft”
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Haavisto masks vs. Niinistö cutouts
HOME
Breaking the ice: Urho will soon go on station in the Gulf of Finland
METRO
Condemned Espoo City Hall may yet be given a new lease of life
FOREIGN
A 3,500-metre peak in the Caucasus mountain range in Russia might be named “Helsinki” after the Finnish capital
FOREIGN
NEWS ANALYSIS: Phosphorus flows – information doesn’t
CULTURE
NEWS ANALYSIS: Period pieces clean the table at Jussi movie gala
BUSINESS & FINANCE
Pirated versions of Angry Birds merchandise spread around the world
PEOPLE
Jaana Husu-Kallio, the new Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, has set her sights on improved organic food production in Finland
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