SDP nominates Tuula Haatainen as presidential candidate

The main opposition Suomen Sosialidemokraattinen Puolue (Social Democratic Party of Finland-SDP) on Saturday nominated Member of Parliament (MP) Tuula Haatainen as its candidate for the January 2018 presidential election.

Haatainen emerged as the winner in an internal ballot open to party members. There were two other candidates in the vote.

Addressing the party council meeting in Jyväskylä, Haatainen said Finland has attained a strong position without being a NATO member and she saw no reason for a NATO membership in the future either.

"But cooperation with NATO is consistent with our interests," she said, calling for a clear and active approach in the European Union.

Haatainen condemned terrorism in the light of the recent stabbings in Turku, but underlined that rule-of-law should prevail the combat against terrorism.

Haatainen, 57, has a high profile in social and health affairs. She got 8,050 votes, the runner-up MP Maarit Feldt-Ranta got 7,013 and MP SIrpa Paatero 1,400.

With the nomination of Haatainen, the cohort of presidential candidates from all the political parties in Finland is nearly complete.

Incumbent president Sauli Niinistö is running as an independent. The Suomen Keskusta (Centre Party) candidate is Matti Vanhanen, Vihreä Liitö (Green League) candidate is Pekka Haavisto, the Vasemmistoliitto (Left Alliance) candidate is Merja Kyllönen, Suomenruotsalainenkansanpuolue (Swedish People’s Party of Finland-RKP) is Nils Torvalds and the The Perussuomalaiset (Finns Party) candidate is Laura Huhtasaari. SuomenKristillisdemokraatit (Christian Democrats of Finland) Party is backing Niinistö.

Paavo Väyrynen is contesting for his newly formed Kansalaispuolue (Citizen’s Party).

The first public debate of all candidates is expected in late October. Niinistö has been reluctant to participate in all-candidate roundtables, but will do so in October.