Urpilainen announces bid for Presidential poll from SDP

The main opposition in parliament Suomen Sosialidemokraattinen Puolue (Social Democratic Party of Finland -SDP) on Sunday announced Jutta Urpilainen as party´s candidate for the upcoming presidential election scheduled to be held in January next year.

The candidature of Urpilainen, a former Chairperson of SDP and former Finance Minister of the country was announced from the party council in Tampere, said the party in a press release.

Speaking on the occasion, Urpilainen, also the European Commissioner for International Partnerships said that the main theme of her campaign would be "no one left behind" and the rights of employees will be assured.

Urpilainen will be on leave from the EU from December 2 to run her election campaign.

Earlier, veteran politician of Vihreä Liitto (Green Party) Pekka Haavisto, former Prime Minister Alexander Stubb (Kansallinen Kokoomus-National Coalition Party), former lawmaker and Bank of Finland Governor Olli Rehn of Suomen Keskusta (Centre Party of Finland), Vasemmistoliitto (Left Alliance) Chairperson Li Andersson, Perussuomalaiset (Finns Party) leader Jussi Halla-aho, SuomenKristillisdemokraatit (Christian Democrats of Finland-CD) Chairperson Sari Essayah, Liike Nyt (Movement Now) lawmaker Harry Harkimo, former Keskusta Chair Paavo Väyrynen and Saara Huhtasaari of Freedom Alliance announced their candidatures for the 2024 presidential poll.