Centre-right’s Stubb wins close-fought Finnish presidential election

By Anne Kauranen and Essi Lehto

HELSINKI (Reuters) -Alexander Stubb of the centre-right National Coalition Party narrowly won Finland’s presidential election on Sunday, defeating liberal Green Party member Pekka Haavisto, who conceded defeat.

Stubb is pro-European and a strong supporter of Ukraine who has taken a tough stance towards Russia.

He declared himself winner in the run-off vote after securing 51.6% of the votes as 99.7% of ballots had been counted, against Haavisto’s 48.4%, justice ministry data showed.

Finland new head of state will be responsible for its security and foreign policy, including the recently approved NATO member’s stance towards Russia, with which it shares a long border.

In televised remarks Stubb called his victory “the greatest honour” of his life.

“The feeling is calm, humble but of course at the...