President Halonen re-elected to second term

Tarja Halonen will continue as the President of the Republic of Finland for a second term. In the runoff election on Sunday, 29 January, President Halonen received 51.8 percent of the vote against 48.2 percent for National Coalition Party candidate Sauli Niinistö.

President Halonen at a press conference at the Presidential Palace on 30 January 2006.

At a post-election press conference President Halonen said she was grateful and relieved to be re-elected and wanted to serve as President for the whole nation for the next six years as well. She added that in future she intended to speak out more on issues related to welfare services, new poverty, social fairness and equality.

The presidential inauguration will take place on 1 March. The term of office is six years.

Election results on the Ministry of Justice's website