Finland: President, 28 January 2018

At stake in this election:

• The office of the President of Finland

Description of government structure:

• Chief of State: President Sauli NIINISTO (since 1 March 2012)
• Head of Government: Prime Minister Juha SIPILA (since 28 May 2015)
• Assembly: Unicameral Parliament (Eduskunta) with 200 seats

Description of electoral system:

• The President is directly elected by an absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 6-year term.

Last Election:

• The last presidential election in Finland was held in 2012. President Sauli NIINISTO was elected in the second round. He is eligible to run for a second term.

Main candidates in the election:

• Tuula HAATAINEN
  • Social Democrats (SDP) / Suomen sosialidemokraattinen puolue
• Pekka HAAVISTO
  • The Green League / Vihreä liitto (VIHR)
• Laura HUHTASAARI
  • The Finns Party / Perussuomalaiset
• Merja KYLLONEN
  • The Left Alliance / Vasemmistoliitto
• Sauli NIINISTO
  • Independent
• Nils TORVALDS
  • Swedish People’s Party of Finland / Suomen ruotsalainen kansanpuolue (RKP)
• Matti VANHANEN
  • The Centre Party / Suomen Keskusta
• Paavo VAYRYNEN
  • Independent

Population and number of registered voters:

• Population: 5,518,371
• Registered Voters: 4,463,333

Gender Data:

• Female Population: 2,801,204
• Is Finland a signatory to CEDAW: Yes (17 July 1980)
• Has Finland ratified CEDAW: Yes (4 September 1986))
• Gender Quota: No
• Female candidates in this election:  Yes
• Number of Female Parliamentarians: 83 (41.5%) of 200 seats in the Parliament (Eduskunta)
• Human Development Index Position: 23
• Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) Categorization: N/A

Disability Data:

• Is Finland a signatory to CRPD: Yes (30 March 2007)
• Has Finland ratified CRPD: Yes (11 May 2016)
• Population with a disability: 821,538