Finland polls open for presidential vote

Finland's second and final round of national voting began Sunday to elect a new president. The winner in the race between two finalists will replace President Tarja Halonen, who constitutionally must step down after two terms, CNN reported. While she was Finland's first female president, this race for the first time pits an openly gay candidate against a conservative. Former Finance Minister Sauli Niinisto, 63, who ushered Finland into the European Union and use of the euro, won the preliminary vote Jan. 28 with almost 37 percent of the vote. He also served as deputy chairman of the European Investment Bank. His Green League rival, Pekka Haavisto, 53, got 18.8 percent. His openness about being gay has figured prominently in national media in recent weeks, the report said. His political history includes a stint as environment and development minister. Both candidates for the largely ceremonial presidency are in favor of maintaining membership in the European Union, the report said.